Latest news with #VirginiaWorks
Axios
a day ago
- Business
- Axios
Northern Virginia leaders warn federal layoffs threaten local economy
Some Virginia leaders are ringing the alarm over the effect the Trump administration's federal cuts are having on its local workforce and economy — especially in Northern Virginia. Why it matters: Virginia's unemployment rate has risen for six consecutive months — hitting 3.5% in June. The big picture: Virginia was the only state in the nation that saw a "statistically significant" increase in unemployment last month, according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Virginia also recently dropped to No. 4 on CNBC's yearly Top State for Business rankings — a hit for a state that's come in at No. 1 a record six times. The impact of federal job cuts on the economy was cited as the driving factor. Zoom in: NoVa, which historically has been home to a large concentration of federal jobs, saw the biggest employment decline out of Virginia's metro areas from May to June, per a new Virginia Works report. The metro saw a loss of 4,700 jobs in that period. Fairfax County has seen the number of its unemployed residents jump 34.7% in the last year, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Meanwhile, 80% of Northern Virginia business leaders are concerned about the impact DOGE's cuts are having on the regional economy, per a recent Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce survey. Federal layoffs (47%) and inflation (47%) were the top two factors affecting regional business growth, per surveyed leaders. Yes, but: Overall, NoVa business leaders are feeling more optimistic about the local economy than they were this spring, found the survey. Zoom out: An estimated 11,100 federal jobs have been cut in Virginia this year, per a recent report from the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. 10,500 more positions could be threatened in the near future. Virginia employees at the Defense, Agriculture and Treasury departments have already seen some of the biggest cuts, and it's projected Virginia could see more employee reductions at the Defense and Veteran Affairs departments, per the report. And contracting jobs are being impacted, too: Mitre Corp. and Goldschmitt & Associates — both based in Northern Virginia — have reported some of the highest numbers of contracting layoffs in the state, per the report. What they're saying: Virginia Dems are putting the spotlight on the issue ahead of an election year that will determine which side of the aisle controls the state's government. "The Trump administration's approach is not working for Virginia," Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger wrote last week in a Fox News op-ed criticizing Gov. Glenn Youngkin's response to Virginia job losses. And Fairfax County Board Chair Jeff McKay and state Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) released a statement last week criticizing President Trump's, Youngkin's and state Republicans' policies for threatening "the decades of leadership that has made Fairfax County the economic engine of Virginia." The other side: Though Youngkin recently announced in a statement that Virginia's nonfarm employment decreased by 8,400 jobs in June due to federal cuts, he pointed out that, overall, jobs are up by 35,600 since June 2024. "Virginia's financial and economic strength continue to provide the fuel for new opportunities and growth," Youngkin said in the statement.
Axios
2 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Richmond region feels impact as Virginia unemployment climbs
Virginia was the only state in the nation that saw a statistically significant increase in unemployment last month, according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Why it matters: More than 160,000 Virginians were out of work but looking for a job in June amid a gloomy national labor outlook for the unemployed. State of play: The latest unemployment data, out Friday, suggests the state's job losses go beyond the Trump administration's culling of federal workers. Overall, there were roughly 8,400 fewer jobs in Virginia in June than in May. And Richmond saw the third-highest month-over-month decrease in nonfarm employment in the state. Zoom in: All but four of the dozen or so nonagricultural industries in Virginia posted job losses between May and June, per detailed data from Virginia Works, the state's workforce development arm. The biggest losses by sector came from: Professional and business services: ⬇️ 3,500 Federal government: ⬇️ 2,500 Education and health services: ⬇️ 2,200 Leisure and hospitality: ⬇️ 1,500 The state's monthly job gains were in state government (+2,200), construction (+1,700), goods producing (+1,000), and local government (+100). By the numbers: Virginia's unemployment rate hit 3.5% in June, the sixth month in a row the state's rate has increased. Metro Richmond's unemployment rate also ticked up slightly to 3.5%. Both are below the national average of 4.1%. Regionally, Northern Virginia took the brunt of the monthly jobs losses, per Virginia Works. Of the 8,400 decrease in nonfarm employment between May and June, more than half of the jobs lost — 4,700 — were in NoVa. Virginia Beach/Norfolk MSA lost 2,600 jobs. Richmond MSA, which includes 20 localities across the region, lost 1,100. Yes, but: Year over year, Virginia added 35,600 jobs, largely in service-providing fields, construction, and heath care and education. Meanwhile, professional and business services jobs — which tends to be a catch-all category for white-collar jobs — in the state fell by 6,900. What they're saying:"We expect there will be federal job reductions and that the growth in non-federal jobs over the course of the year ... will provide opportunities for those who have experienced job dislocation," Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement Friday.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Google partners with Glenn Youngkin and offers AI training courses to Virginia job seekers
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced on Tuesday that Google will partner with his administration to provide free and low-cost artificial intelligence certification courses to Virginians as part of his office's ongoing effort to connect citizens to new jobs amid changes to the state's partnership, which he has described as an AI career launchpad, will provide Google-sponsored AI training courses for up to 10,000 Virginians at any given time, officials said at Google's office in the northern part of the training opportunities will be listed on a job website that Youngkin launched earlier this year, in response to significant layoffs among federal workers by the Trump administration, including many workers from Virginia."All fields, all career movements somewhere along the way, are going to incorporate this next generation of technology," Youngkin said at the news initiative comes with unemployment rising in Virginia, which has roughly 20,400 continued unemployment claims, state Secretary of Labor George' Bryan' Slater said after the news conference. Roughly 2,800 people initially filed unemployment claims during the first week of July, which is about 6.1 percent higher than the previous AI webpage will feature the free courses as well as some low-cost learning opportunities, ranging "from beginner friendly courses on AI fundamentals and practical workplace applications of artificial intelligence to bootcamps and degree programs offered by Virginia's leading-edge community colleges and universities," according to the governor's Overley, commissioner of Virginia Works, said businesses have told her office that AI proficiency has become increasingly necessary in their industries. She said the training would help Virginians become competitive in the job markets where these very businesses are confirmed that the training courses won't cost taxpayers anything and are being donated by Google. Bronagh Friel, head of partnerships at Google, said she was proud of the collaboration with the state."Google is committed to championing economic growth and opportunity in Virginia," she said.
Axios
26-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Virginia unemployment rate sees longest rise since '08 crisis
Virginia's unemployment rate is on a steady five-month increase — the longest streak since the 2008 Great Recession. Why it matters: The Trump administration's federal job slashing and freezing of grants, contracts and medical research may be to blame. State of play: Virginia's unemployment rate climbed to 3.4% in May, per new U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. While still below the national average (4.2%), the uptick marks the state's highest unemployment level since August 2021. By the numbers: The state's total labor force decreased by more than 11,500 compared with last May, according to new Virginia Works household survey data. Yes, but: Virginia's economy added nearly 50,000 nonfarm jobs over the past year, according to the state employment data, including 41,700 private sector jobs. Also on the rise: Local government jobs (9,900) and state jobs (2,700). The intrigue: The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it is moving the first major federal agency — the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) — out of D.C. to Alexandria, Virginia.
Axios
19-03-2025
- Business
- Axios
March shows a big jump in Virginia unemployment claims
First-time unemployment claims filed by Virginians surged in the first full week of March, according to the latest stats from Virginia Works. Why it matters: It could be the first data-driven look at the impact of the Trump administration's federal spending and workforce cuts on local jobs. By the numbers: There were 4,036 initial unemployment insurance claims filed for the week ending March 8, the most recent week available, according to a news release from Virginia Works. That's 40% higher than the 2,881 first-time claims filed the previous week and 81 % more than the 2,229 filed for the same week in 2024. Zoom in: A full picture of which industries were affected wasn't available. Less than 66% of claims included a self-reported industry. Of those that did, 619 of the filers said they worked in manufacturing and 509 in professional services, the two highest job categories. Between the lines: Virginia's latest unemployment numbers include the 566 claims filed for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) in Virginia, the release notes. Each state administers UCFE for laid-off federal workers and some federal contractors, but it doesn't cover workers whose jobs could be lost through federal funding. Yes, but: UCFE benefits apply to the state in which the employee worked, not where they lived, according to the Virginia Employment Commission. So a federal worker who lives in Virginia but works at an agency based in D.C. or Maryland would apply for benefits there, not in-state. Zoom out: Nationwide, there were 220,000 new unemployment claims for the first full week of March, a 2,000 filing drop from the previous week, WTOP reported.
