Business Facilities ranks Virginia No. 1 again for custom workforce training

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership‘s Virginia Talent Accelerator Program has been ranked first in Business Facilities‘ ranking of states’ customized workforce training for the third consecutive year.

Business Facilities is a national publication geared toward corporate site selectors and economic development professionals. The publication on Tuesday released the top states for two categories in its 21st annual business facilities rankings report. The full report will be published in its July/August 2025 issue. Texas won best business climate for the third consecutive year.

The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program (VTAP) is a workforce initiative that accelerates new facility startups through fully customized recruitment and training services, designed to accommodate a company’s products, processes, equipment, standards and culture. The program services are provided for free to qualified new and expanding companies to incentivize job creation.

The program was launched in 2019, and was created by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System. Since its launch, the talent accelerator program has helped secure more than 17,000 jobs across the state.

VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi said in a statement he was “honored” that Business Facilities recognized the program. “The centerpiece of Virginia’s economic development model is positioning the commonwealth as America’s top state for talent — and the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program exemplifies that commitment,” El Koubi said.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin in a statement said that for many companies, the program is a critical factor when they choose Virginia “because it provides customized workforce training tailored precisely to their needs from day one. … With Virginians entering the workforce in record numbers, we are uniquely positioned to equip them with the skills needed to succeed today and drive our economy forward tomorrow”

In the past year, according to Business Facilities, the talent accelerator program has begun work to support companies including: Microporous (Danville,  2,000 jobs); Micron Technology (Manassas, 340 jobs); Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (James City County, 180 jobs); and Super Radiator Coils (Chesterfield County, 160 jobs).

Anne Cosgrove, editorial director for Business Facilities, described the program as “a leader of workforce recruitment and training programs” in a statement.

“The team’s comprehensive, speed-of-market approach in serving both new and existing companies across Virginia is evident,” Cosgrove said. “The program’s balance of traditional recruitment and training strategies with the use of cutting-edge technology to ensure a custom and effective approach is significant in supporting the businesses that utilize these resources.”