Roanoke is the Place for Unbridled Opportunity and Career Development
The number-one ingredient to business success is the quality of your workforce. Unlike most places in the U.S., the Roanoke Region collaborates to execute workforce solutions for employers.
- Custom training
- Fully functioning talent pipelines
- Easy access to incentives and benefits
- Concierge-level service with Get2KnowNoke
- Responsive, real-time solutions
Put us to work developing a custom talent development plan for you.
300K
Workers
25
Colleges
100K
Students
Local Career Tech & Training Centers
Virginia Community College System
Maintains two community colleges in the Roanoke Region. VCCS provides workforce training and development programs in manufacturing, repair and career services.
The Roanoke Higher Education Center
The Roanoke Higher Education Center, brings together 16 different education and training institutions. It also features teleconferencing and distance learning capabilities. Students can obtain their GEDs, undergraduate and graduate degrees, or specialized training.
Build Smart Institute
Build Smart Institute’s mission is to educate and train individuals to become career-ready and advance within construction industry occupations. With a combination of virtual learning, classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory skill practice, Build Smart Institute offers a variety of programs and training options.
Claude Moore Education Complex
Claude Moore Education Complex, provides culinary arts courses including a degree program and culinary arts career studies certificate. Classrooms and a laboratory are located in the facility which is part of the Roanoke Higher Education Center.
Apprenticeship Training
Provided through the Virginia Department of Labor, this location features classroom instruction to help businesses meet skilled workforce needs and is provided for all trades.
Virginia Jobs Investment Program
The Virginia Jobs Investment Program, provides services and funding to qualifying companies creating new jobs or experiencing technological change that requires the retraining of existing employees.
Virginia Department of
Rehabilitation Services
The Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services offers employers access to knowledgeable and skilled employees and provides training and educational services for workforce.
Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board
The Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board works with local businesses, government agencies, educational entities and other partners to meet regional workforce needs and allow individuals to prosper, grow & thrive in our region.
Greenfield Education
& Training Center
The Greenfield Education & Training Center, features a high-bay training area so companies can train new employees on their own equipment while their facility is being built, teleconferencing facilities in a tiered lecture hall and classrooms that are wired for the Internet and distance learning.
Franklin Center for
Advanced Learning and Enterprise
The Franklin Center for Advanced Learning and Enterprise, provides technologically advanced training and education facility managed by the Franklin County Workforce Development Consortium–a partnership offering employment, training, and educational services to employers and residents. The Consortium consists of 13 partners representing local governments, community-based agencies, and educational institutions.
Labor Force
| Roanoke Region Population (2023) | 328,707 |
| Labor Area Total Population (2022) | 650,578 |
| Labor Force-Supply Area (2017-2021) | 313,142 |
| Total Unemployed Persons-Labor Supply Area (2017-2021) | 12,790 |
| Unemployment Rate (Roanoke MSA-12/23) | 2.7% |
| Underemployment Estimate (2021) | 24% |
| Annual High School Graduates (19-20) | 6,700 |
| Annual Two-Year Graduates (20-21) | 2,099 |
| Annual Four-Year Degree and Higher Graduates (20-21) | 36,704 |
| Absenteeism | 2.8% |
Alleghany Highlands Submarket
| Labor Force | 74,609 |
| Unemployed | 2,449 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% |
Franklin County Submarket
| Labor Force | 267,846 |
| Unemployed | 8,664 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% |
Roanoke MSA Educational Attainment
| High School Diploma/GED or higher | 90.5% |
| Some college, no degree | 19.7% |
| Associate’s or bachelor’s degree | 28.2% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 10.6% |
Occupation Distribution
| Occupation Title | 2018 | 2028 (projected) | Change (projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative and Support | 10,279 | 10,343 | .6% |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 8,053 | 9,651 | 19.8% |
| Architectural, Engineering | 1,303 | 1,249 | -4.1% |
| Business Support Services | 1,448 | 1,538 | 6.2% |
| Computer Systems Design | 2,720 | 3,696 | 35.9% |
| Construction | 9,054 | 9,494 | 4.9% |
| Construction of Buildings | 1,727 | 2,012 | 16.5% |
| Health and Education Services | 37,563 | 40,373 | 7.5% |
| Financial Activities | 7,974 | 8,156 | 2.3% |
| Food Prep, and Drinking Places | 12,530 | 13,262 | 5.8% |
| Information | 1558 | 1541 | -1.1% |
| Insurance Carriers and Related | 3,505 | 3,686 | 5.2% |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 15,728 | 16,479 | 5.0% |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical | 481 | 544 | 13.1% |
| Manufacturing | 17,073 | 16,479 | -3.5% |
| Medical and Diagnostic Labs | 513 | 728 | 41.9% |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities | 5,262 | 5,492 | 12.9% |
| Professional and Business Services | 23,363 | 24,314 | 4.1% |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical | 7,838 | 8,941 | 14.1% |
| Trade, Transportation, and Utilties | 34,018 | 33,056 | -2.8 |
| Truck Transportation | 2,575 | 2,854 | 10.8 |
| Warehousing and Storage | 1546 | 1651 | 6.8 |
| Total | 172,475 | 176,183 | 2.1% |
We’re here to help
The workforce development system can be a lot to manage for any size employer. Let us help translate your custom options, and develop a winning strategy for your company.