Arlington accepts IT workforce grant for veterans

Arlington County Board Accepts State Grant to Connect Veterans to High-Demand IT Careers

April 20, 2013 

• Local IT industry to assist in coordinating hiring
• $150,000 state grant
• More than 50 veterans to be served

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Arlington County Board today accepted a $150,000 state grant to train military veterans and connect them with careers in the high-growth, high-demand Information Technology (IT) field.

“There is a huge local demand for credentialed IT workers,” said Arlington County Board Chairman J.  Walter Tejada. “It is an honor to be able to give something back to the veterans who have served this country so well, and to help equip them for these IT career opportunities.”

Arlington County is working with the City of Alexandria and others in a regional partnership for the new initiative, called IT Jobs for Veterans.

The partnership is funded by a $150,000 Virginia Workforce Investment Act Rapid Response Assistance grant from Gov. Bob McDonnell and Virginia’s Community College System. The Alexandria/Arlington Workforce Investment Board received the funding for this partnership between Alexandria City, Arlington County, the Virginia Employment Commission, Northern Virginia Community College, and Acentia.  Acentia, a private employer, is representing the local IT industry and will assist in coordinating the hiring of this program’s graduates.

This innovative partnership is expected to serve more than 50 veterans over an 18-month period. The grant covers all the program’s education, certification, and job training activities.

Veterans and employers interested in learning more about the IT Jobs for Veteransprogram should visit itjobsforveterans.org or contact Arlington Employment Center.

The Board voted 5 to 0 to accept the grant as part of its Consent Agenda.

In other actions, the Board:

• Accepted $102,646 in Virginia Community College System Workforce Investment Act funds for workforce development activities for federal employees affected by Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). 
• Accepted $46,125 in Virginia Community College System Workforce Investment Act funds for comprehensive workforce development and employment programs.

“We are committed to pursuing resources to enhance our workforce development efforts – for veterans, for federal employees affected by BRAC, and for all members of the community,” said Tejada.

To read the staff report, visit the County website. Scroll down to Item #25 on theCounty Board Meeting Agenda for the April 20, 2013 Regular Meeting.