​​The Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) is a key resource for the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and supports DARS with comprehensive medical and vocational rehabilitation services designed to help individuals with disabilities obtain employment through assessment, transition, vocational training or comprehensive medical therapies.  The Center's mission, vision, values as well as its assignment in the Federal and State Vocational Rehabilitation program are well documented in the WWRC Administrative Governance Manual (AGM).  

 

WWRC has taken a proactive and strategic approach to workforce development, in response to the emergence of governmental guidance at the federal and state level as well as consistent direction outlined in law, policy, and executive order and through consultation with leading industry associations and employers.  Key underpinnings for WWRC's approach to Workforce Driven Training and Business Engagement are aligned with  Virginia Executive Order 23, issued August 13, 2014 and Virginia Executive Order 47​, issued in 2020, with the Business Roundtable Report on Employer Engagement in Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)  which provides and exceptional resource in defining the context for jobs driven training in the current environment for workforce development.  

 

Since 2012, WWRC has intentionally engaged in tactical Blueprint initiatives to deliver quality workforce-driven training programs through its Vocational Training Department.  Curriculum is shaped, molded, and continuously evaluated by forces within Virginia's economy and labor market through continuous employer and business engagement, consultation and technical assistance.   Each training program is expected to maintain an articulated statement, annually reviewed and updated as relevant through its assigned Business/Industry Advisory Committee, that clarifies its workforce-driven elements, to include at minimum:

  • Current and projected labor market information (LMI), combined with Virginia economic data;
  • Level and scope of employer engagement (assigned Business/Industry Advisory Committee membership; actively utilized internship sites; listing of businesses/employer contacts who have endorsed the curriculum/expressed an interest in hiring graduates; etc.); and,
  • Employment outcome metrics (graduate employment and earnings data; industry-recognized credentials; employer satisfaction data, where available; success profiles; etc)

 

WWRC's vision for business engagement and use of a workforce-driven model necessitates and capitalizes on a close working partnership with DARS through its Business Development Unit and in direct coordination with the DARS Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) Vocational Evaluators, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Placement Counselors, and District Managers.  The DARS Business Development Unit engages business and industry to identify occupational skill gaps, demand-driven training and hiring needs, and to help match qualified Agency job candidates with disabilities to viable employment opportunities.  WWRC utilizes the DARS (DRS/WWRC) Business Development Team as its Institutional Advisory Committee and leverages opportunities identified through partnerships with statewide Business Development Managers to facilitate targeted tours of WWRC and industry sites.   

 

These tours serve as an effective outreach strategy, consistent with Virginia Executive Order 23, that open dialogue regarding demand-driven training and hiring needs, curricula requirements to develop job seeker skills needed to meet those needs, and potential internship and job openings.   WWRC also conducts routine marketing and outreach to DRS as its primary referral source to provide relevant information about the vocational training programs offered, to recruit qualified candidates, and to effectively facilitate a smooth transition from WWRC back to the community and placement opportunities.  

 

This close working partnership with WWRC's parent Agency and primary referral source facilitates linkages between available statewide jobs, projected fill dates as compared to anticipated graduation dates, and job locations as compared to graduate preferred place of residence.  Companies and corporate networks with multiple locations are highly desirable as they optimize placement opportunities for training graduates.    Graduates with flexible travel and/or relocation plans have an obvious advantage.  The earlier these issues are identified within the VR process, the more effective the realized employment outcomes. 

 

WWRC's vision for business engagement and use of a workforce-driven model also leverages the resources of the Community​ Foundation.  The Community Foundation helps evolve business relationships through extensive connections of its Board members; provide resources for tours and outreach efforts on behalf of WWRC; and, sponsor marketing efforts such as the WWRC podcast through the VR Workforce Studio that capture VR success stories and employer connections.  

 

See Also Related WWRC Business Engagement Vision in Action Sharepoint Site.