On behalf of Chairman Dudley Harris, the Virginia Apprenticeship Council, and the Virginia Works Registered Apprenticeship Program, I am pleased to submit this inaugural report on the activities of the Apprenticeship Council since the enabling legislation to create Virginia Works took effect on July 1, 2023.

The Registered Apprenticeship team aligning with and supported by the entire Virginia Works agency and other critical partner agencies are committed to expanding Registered Apprenticeship in the Commonwealth. It has been and remains our goal to develop the next generation of skilled talent to support Virginia’s thriving economy in both traditional apprenticeship occupations, and also to vastly expand new opportunities for apprenticeship in line with our high demand occupation list and feedback from Virginia’s businesses. We are fully committed to and excited about achieving Governor Glenn Youngkin’s goal of 20,000 apprentices by the end of 2025.

I wish to acknowledge the support of our colleagues at the Department of Labor and Industry for assisting us with a smooth transition of the Registered Apprenticeship division and look forward to working with them as members of the Virginia Apprenticeship Council.

Best Regards,

Nicole Overley
Commissioner, Virginia Works
Secretary, Virginia Apprenticeship Council