Sara Serves: Partnership
This month, Fairfax County Workforce Development, in partnership with Virginia Tech’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) and VLGMA, will kick off a webinar series highlighting local government career opportunities for federally displaced workers.
Fairfax County staff have been working with an influx of highly educated, experienced professionals who suddenly find themselves without work; clients whose needs differ from those of the typical workforce customer. To their credit, the workforce center team has responded creatively. Through this partnership, they are offering targeted webinars that connect workers’ prior experience to careers in local government.
Planned sessions will focus on finance, IT, HR, human services, and doing business with local governments. Each webinar will feature local government professionals who will discuss career pathways and offer practical guidance for successfully making the transition into public service.
I cannot speak highly enough of the Fairfax County team leading this effort. They have pulled together resources from across the Commonwealth and leveraged partnerships with Virginia Tech and VLGMA to provide both hope and tangible tools for their community.
A special shout-out also goes to VT SPIA, which has provided tuition assistance and specialized support for displaced workers interested in the Local Government Management Certificate program. I had a few of these students in class last semester; they were thoughtful, highly experienced professionals who would be excellent additions to any local government team.
If you know someone who could benefit from this effort, please refer them to the flyer included in this newsletter. More information on their other resources is also available on Fairfax County’s website:
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/help-residents-affected-federal-workforce-restructuring
We still have openings on upcoming panels (finance launches next week!), so if you’re interested in participating or would like more information, please reach out to me.
Thank you to the many individuals and localities who have already stepped up to support this work and to those who may still join us. It is, as always, a privilege to serve and to be part of strengthening our communities. Fairfax County’s work here is truly phenomenal.
Sara