Workforce and Education

Your business needs people. Hampton Roads has the best people anywhere.

Whether you’re looking for skilled laborers or the proverbial rocket scientist, we have what you need in Hampton Roads. The annual infusion of 13,000 military personnel into our civilian labor pool makes Hampton Roads a unique place to find motivated talent. Add in our exceptional colleges, universities, and medical schools, and your human resources manager will finally be able to sleep soundly at night.

Labor Statistics (April 2010)

• Civilian Labor Force: 829,020
• Employed: 770,212
• Unemployed: 58,808
• Unemployment Rate: 7.1%

 

Military

As a result of the large military presence in the region, Virginia's Hampton Roads has a skilled pool of potential workers that few other metropolitan areas have to offer. Each year approximately 13,000 trained and disciplined personnel transition from active duty to the civilian workforce. Many of these persons prefer to stay in the area and are available for private sector employment. In addition, there are over 30,000 military spouses in the area available for employment.

 

Students

Over 96,000 students attend Hampton Roads’ eight universities and four community colleges. Most of these students are permanent residents, available for part- or full- time employment.  And the 14,000 graduates from the region's colleges and universities provides work ready talent pool from which to recruit.

 

 

About the Education Level of the Hampton Roads Population 25 years and older ...

• 89.0 % of population has at least a high school diploma
• 26.0% of population has at least some college
• 36.1% of population has an Associates Degree or higher

 

 Seasonal Workers

The region's tourism industry creates over 10,000 seasonal jobs during summer months. This group provides an additional source of workers to companies with personnel needs that peak at other times of the year.

If you still need help finding great people, let the Virginia Department of Business Assistance help. You can contact them at www.dba.state.va.us/.

 

 

 

Hampton Roads Employment by Industry Sector (October, 2009)  Natural Resource, Mining and Construction 42,300   6% Manufacturing 53,300   7% Trade, Transportation and Utilities 136,100   18% Information 13,600   2% Financial Activities 39,500   5% Professional and Business Services 106,400   14% Educational and Health Services 93,800   12% Leisure and Hospitality 85,900   11% Other Services 32,300   4% Government 161,000   21% Total Nonfarm Employment 764,500   100% Source: Virginia Employment Commission

 Related Links

• Peninsula Council for Workforce Development
• Opportunity, Inc.
• Hampton Roads Business Education Collaborative