ICYMI: In Hampton Roads, Governor Spanberger Focuses on Expanding Economic Opportunity for Workers, Veterans

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger continues to focus on creating jobs, expanding opportunity across the Commonwealth, and helping more Virginians find stable careers to earn a good living and support their families.

On Wednesday, the Governor launched the Virginia Veteran Registered Apprenticeship Muster at Fort Eustis - the first of its kind event to connect transitioning servicemembers, Veterans, and military spouses with employers in skilled, high-demand fields.

Later, alongside legislators and local leaders in Newport News and Norfolk, Governor Spanberger signed bipartisan bills to improve support for local workforce development boards and connect workers with good-paying jobs in Virginia's nation-leading offshore wind industry.

Read below for coverage from across Hampton Roads of the Governor's focus on investing in Virginia's workforce:

-

13News Now [Norfolk]: Spanberger highlights apprenticeships during Fort Eustis visit

Gov. Abigail Spanberger spent time in Hampton Roads on Wednesday, making a stop at Fort Eustis in Newport News as part of the state's recognition of National Apprenticeship Week.

The visit centered around expanding career pathways for veterans and active-duty service members, particularly as they transition out of military life and into the civilian workforce. Inside a room filled with veterans, service members, and workforce leaders, Spanberger read a proclamation officially declaring Apprenticeship Week across the Commonwealth.

[...]

"This celebration speaks to what we all know to be true: apprenticeships are one of the most powerful workforce strategies that we have in Virginia and nationwide," Spanberger said.

WAVY [Norfolk]: Governor Spanberger makes stops across Hampton Roads just over 100 days into administration

Just over 100 days into her administration, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger held several events across Hampton Roads. First was the first ever veteran's apprenticeship muster at Fort Eustis.

The event comes in the midst of National Apprenticeship week and helped connect transitioning service members to find opportunities for skill development and career advancement.

During the muster, Governor Spanberger said Virginia is seeing the most apprenticeship applications in the state's history, at just over 15,000.

She continued by saying it's events like the muster, that will ensure Virginia's workforce remains strong and veterans are taken care of. A view that was echoed by employers at the event.

WTKR [Norfolk]: Gov. Spanberger signs bills to boost Virginia's skilled workforce

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed two bills into law Wednesday to boost workforce development and train workers for the shipbuilding and offshore wind industries in Hampton Roads.

Spanberger signed the first bill Wednesday morning, providing more flexibility in how federal workforce development dollars can be used. Hampton Delegate Virgil Thornton sponsored the legislation.

[…]

"To keep that edge, we need more workers, trained workers, credentialed workers, workers who are ready to contribute from day one," Spanberger said.

Later in the day at Norfolk State University, Spanberger signed a second bill aimed at training people for careers in offshore wind. A large offshore wind farm is currently under construction off the coast of Virginia Beach.

13News Now [Norfolk]: Spanberger signs clean energy, workforce bills during Norfolk visit

Governor Abigail Spanberger visited Norfolk State University on Wednesday as part of a regional tour, meeting with local lawmakers to sign legislation aimed at expanding clean energy and workforce development across Virginia.

The event spotlighted House Bill 67, introduced by Michael Feggans, along with Senate Bill 25. The measures focus on advancing development in the offshore wind industry, a growing sector in the Commonwealth.

Spanberger said the legislation is designed to strengthen workforce training pipelines.

BACKGROUND

In her first 100 days in office, Governor Spanberger has remained laser-focused on building a stronger, safer, and more affordable Virginia. The Governor has signed bipartisan legislation to lower costs for families, announced more than $4.7 billion in new business investment creating more than 3,000 new jobs across the Commonwealth, and worked to contend with the uncertainty coming from Washington that is making life more expensive for all Virginians.

Since January, Governor Spanberger has worked alongside legislators to make healthcare, housing, and energy more affordable, accessible, and reliable for Virginians. The Governor recently signed her entire Affordable Virginia Agenda - a package of bills to address high housing, healthcare, and energy costs announced by the Governor and General Assembly in December - into law.

# # #