Virginia Employment & Job Training
Virginia Employment, Job Training & Reentry-Friendly Work
Statewide directory of workforce, employment, and job training resources that are commonly used after court, probation, or incarceration. Many listings are public workforce centers; others are community programs that may work with people on supervision. OACRA does not place you in a job or talk to employers — we help you find places to contact. Always confirm details with your officer and the program before you start.
Statewide & Telework Options
Coverage: entire state of Virginia and remote/online options (always confirm supervision rules for remote work).
✅ Public workforce & one-stop centers
Virginia Career Works
Official statewide workforce system with local career centers, workshops, and job search help.
Official statewide workforce system with local career centers, workshops, and job search help.
Find your local career center
Virginia Employment Commission (VEC)
Unemployment insurance, job search portal, and labor market information.
Unemployment insurance, job search portal, and labor market information.
Check work-search requirements
Virginia Registered Apprenticeship
On-the-job training programs in trades and technical fields through the Dept. of Labor & Industry.
On-the-job training programs in trades and technical fields through the Dept. of Labor & Industry.
Ask how supervision affects hours/travel
🛠️ Nonprofit & reentry-friendly job programs (confirm with officer)
Goodwill Job & Career Centers
Goodwill locations around Virginia provide job search help, training, and sometimes transitional work.
Goodwill locations around Virginia provide job search help, training, and sometimes transitional work.
Check your local Goodwill website
Reentry Resource Guides (DOC & local)
Many probation, jail, and DOC offices publish reentry guides with job and training leads.
Many probation, jail, and DOC offices publish reentry guides with job and training leads.
Ask your officer for the latest guide
🌐 Remote / online work & skill-building
Online Skills & Short Courses
Low-cost or free courses in digital skills, customer service, and office work that can support job searches.
Low-cost or free courses in digital skills, customer service, and office work that can support job searches.
Make sure online work is allowed under your supervision
Remote-Friendly Job Boards
National job sites with remote filters. Always confirm hours, location rules, and employer background checks.
National job sites with remote filters. Always confirm hours, location rules, and employer background checks.
Review with your officer before accepting
Northern Virginia
Approximate coverage: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas.
✅ Public workforce & career centers
Virginia Career Works – Northern Region
SkillSource centers with job search help, workshops, and training referrals.
SkillSource centers with job search help, workshops, and training referrals.
Ask about justice-involved services
Arlington Employment Center
County workforce center providing job search, training referrals, and workshops.
County workforce center providing job search, training referrals, and workshops.
Confirm any supervision-related limits
🛠️ Community & nonprofit employment help
Goodwill of Greater Washington – NoVA
Goodwill stores and career centers offering job search support and training.
Goodwill stores and career centers offering job search support and training.
Ask if they work with people on supervision
Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS)
Provides employment and training support through some of its programs.
Provides employment and training support through some of its programs.
Check individual program eligibility
Local Reentry & Jail Transition Programs
Some jails and community groups host reentry job fairs and coaching.
Some jails and community groups host reentry job fairs and coaching.
Ask your PO or jail reentry staff
Central Virginia / Richmond
Approximate coverage: Richmond City, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, and nearby counties.
✅ Public workforce & training
Virginia Career Works – Capital Region
Career centers in Richmond area with job search support and training referrals.
Career centers in Richmond area with job search support and training referrals.
Ask about reentry programming
Community College Workforce Programs
Short-term certificates and workforce training through area community colleges.
Short-term certificates and workforce training through area community colleges.
Discuss financial aid & schedules with supervision
🛠️ Reentry & community employment programs
Local Reentry Community Centers
Community-based organizations in Richmond that support people returning from incarceration.
Community-based organizations in Richmond that support people returning from incarceration.
Ask your PO for current referrals
Goodwill of Central & Coastal Virginia
Career centers offering job readiness, soft skills, and placement assistance.
Career centers offering job readiness, soft skills, and placement assistance.
Ask about second-chance hiring partners
Hampton Roads / Tidewater
Approximate coverage: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News, Hampton, and surrounding localities.
✅ Public workforce & training
Virginia Career Works – Hampton Roads
Career centers providing job search assistance, training, and hiring events.
Career centers providing job search assistance, training, and hiring events.
Ask if they have reentry services
Peninsula Worklink / Local Career Centers
Workforce centers in Newport News, Hampton, and nearby areas.
Workforce centers in Newport News, Hampton, and nearby areas.
Visit VCW site for locations & hours
🛠️ Community employment & transitional work
Goodwill Career Centers – Hampton Roads
Job readiness classes, resume help, and connections to local employers.
Job readiness classes, resume help, and connections to local employers.
Ask about any background restrictions
Regional Reentry Councils & Coalitions
Coalitions that host resource fairs and connect returning citizens with jobs and supports.
Coalitions that host resource fairs and connect returning citizens with jobs and supports.
Your PO or local jail can provide contact info
Shenandoah Valley & Northwest
Approximate coverage: Winchester, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and surrounding counties.
✅ Public workforce & career centers
Virginia Career Works – Valley / Shenandoah Region
Career centers serving Shenandoah Valley and northwest localities.
Career centers serving Shenandoah Valley and northwest localities.
See VCW site for addresses
🛠️ Community job help & training
Goodwill Industries of the Valleys
Job training and employment services across the Shenandoah and Blue Ridge regions.
Job training and employment services across the Shenandoah and Blue Ridge regions.
Ask about justice-involved services
Blue Ridge / Roanoke & Lynchburg
Approximate coverage: Roanoke, Lynchburg, and nearby counties in the Blue Ridge region.
✅ Public workforce & training
Virginia Career Works – Blue Ridge
Career centers for job search, training, and employer connections.
Career centers for job search, training, and employer connections.
Visit VCW site for addresses & hours
🛠️ Community job help & transitional work
Goodwill Industries of the Valleys – Roanoke / Lynchburg
Career centers, training programs, and supportive employment services.
Career centers, training programs, and supportive employment services.
Ask about any background limits
Southwest Virginia
Approximate coverage: Bristol, Abingdon, and surrounding Appalachian counties.
✅ Public workforce & training
Virginia Career Works – Southwest
Regional career centers with job listings, workshops, and training referrals.
Regional career centers with job listings, workshops, and training referrals.
Use VCW site to confirm the closest center
🛠️ Community job help & reentry support
Goodwill Industries of the Valleys – Southwest
Job search assistance, basic skills training, and support services.
Job search assistance, basic skills training, and support services.
Ask what they report for attendance
Local Reentry Councils & Faith-Based Programs
Some churches and community groups host job clubs and employer introductions.
Some churches and community groups host job clubs and employer introductions.
Confirm with your PO which ones are approved
Important: Being listed here does not mean a program or employer is guaranteed to accept people on probation, parole, or with a specific charge. Background checks, transportation, and schedule limits can affect what is realistic for you.
Hands-off policy: OACRA does not match you with an employer or speak to employers for you. We only provide directories so you, your officer, attorney, or counselor can contact programs directly and decide what is appropriate for your case.
Supervision & documentation: Before accepting a job or training spot, confirm with your supervision officer: work hours, curfew, travel outside your county, and any restrictions on remote work or self-employment. Keep copies of offer letters, schedules, paystubs, or attendance logs for your records.
