Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board Area 1

08/27/2026

08/26/2026

Simulated Workplace Student Spotlight: Braxton is Drafting His Career

For many students, figuring out what comes after high school can feel like a big decision. That’s why opportunities to explore careers, gain hands-on experience, and learn from professionals can make such a difference.

Braxton graduated this year from Grundy High School and took advantage of that opportunity through a Simulated Work Experience program from a partnership of the Southwest VA Workforce Development Board and the Thompson Charitable Foundation. He spent his summer months at Coronado Coal, where he served as an Engineering Aide, alongside Engineer Eric Hagerman.

During his experience, Braxton had the chance to see firsthand what goes into an engineering-related career, while also learning valuable workplace skills that will serve him well wherever his future takes him. He is especially thankful to Eric and Coronado, whose support, encouragement, and willingness to share their knowledge made a lasting impact.

The experience also gave Braxton something every young person needs as they prepare for life after high school: a chance to learn more about himself, his interests, and the possibilities available to him.

In Braxton’s own words:

“It was a great experience. I would recommend it to any young person who doesn’t know what to go into for college. The program helped me with learning new things and how to work a job, and it’s a great way to start out after high school.”

That willingness to learn will continue to guide Braxton as he takes his next step. He is now enrolled to attend Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) to complete his prerequisites before transferring to a four-year college. His long-term goal is to earn a degree in Drafting and build a career that allows him to continue using his technical skills, creativity, and growing knowledge. The Thompson Charitable Foundation provided Braxton with a $ 1,000 scholarship to help cover SWCC expenses.

When asked what lesson from the experience stands out most, Braxton shared a message that says a lot about the mindset he is carrying into his future:

“You learn something new every day and never stop growing because you can always do better and bigger things.”

Braxton’s story is a great example of what career exploration is all about, giving young people the opportunity to experience the workplace, connect with professionals, discover new interests, and make more informed decisions about what comes next.

We are proud of Braxton for stepping outside the classroom, embracing a new experience, and continuing to work toward his goals. We’re excited to see what he accomplishes next!

Congratulations Braxton!

08/24/2026

Tuesday, August 25th at Virginia Career Works Wise Center, 1:00pm-3:00pm

08/21/2026

From Simulated Workplace to Virginia Tech: Ryder Building a Future in Mining Engineering

Ryder is a 2026 graduate of Grundy High School whose career goals were strengthened through a partnership program between the Thompson Charitable Foundation and the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board (SWVA WDB).
Through the Simulated Workplace and Apprenticeship Training Program at Buchanan County Career & Technical Center, Ryder gained valuable hands-on work experience, received summer stipend payments, and explored his chosen career field of engineering.

For the past two summers, Ryder worked with Wellmore Coal Company in Grundy, where he had the opportunity to learn alongside experienced professionals and gain real-world exposure to engineering. Those experiences helped him better understand the day-to-day realities of the profession and confirmed that engineering, specifically mining engineering, is the career path he wants to pursue.

In recognition of his hard work, accomplishments, and commitment to continuing his education, Ryder also received a $2,000 scholarship from the Thompson Charitable Foundation to support his pursuit of an engineering degree.

Today, Ryder moved to Blacksburg to attend Virginia Tech, where he will major in Mining Engineering. His long-term goal is to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and become a Professional Engineer (PE).

Ryder shared how much the Simulated Workplace experience has meant to him:

“Simulated Workplace has given me countless opportunities to make sure that I understand the realities of working in my field of study. Not only did I get to work alongside some of the best engineers in Virginia, but I also had the opportunity to experience different fields of engineering, including mechanical engineering and mining engineering.”

He also emphasized how valuable these opportunities are for young people who are beginning to make decisions about their futures.

“These are just some of the opportunities that Simulated Workplace offers young students through internships and work experiences. It gives us a chance to be part of the workforce and better prepare for our future careers.”

Ryder expressed special appreciation for Southwest VA Workforce Development Board Program Manager, Debi Hutchinson and Buchanan County CTC Instructor, Kayla Cantrell, who first introduced him to the program during the summer following his sophomore year.

“At first, I was not sure if I would like it, but they made sure I felt right at home. They constantly checked in to see how work was going and made sure I knew that if I needed somebody, I had somebody. Communication with the Simulated Workplace has been awesome. This is one of the best programs I have ever been a part of, and I am so thankful for this opportunity.”

Ryder is also especially grateful to Wellmore Coal Company for welcoming him back each summer and giving him the opportunity to learn in the field he hopes to make his career.
“Wellmore has been so good to me each year. I am thankful they gave me the chance to see what it is really like to work in my field of study and make sure this is what I truly want to pursue.”

Ryder’s journey is a wonderful example of the impact that can be created when workforce development, education, philanthropy, and local industry come together to invest in young people.
Through the partnership between the Thompson Charitable Foundation and the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board, along with the support of Buchanan County Career & Technical Center and Wellmore Coal Company, Ryder was able to gain paid work experience, explore a high-demand career field, build professional skills, and make an informed decision about his future.

Congratulations, Ryder!

08/18/2026

From Classroom to Career — Celebrating Jacob’s Success

We are proud to spotlight Jacob, a recent graduate of Grundy High School whose academic achievement, leadership, athletic accomplishments, and commitment to preparing for his future truly set him apart.

Jacob graduated 7th in his class with a 4.0 GPA and earned his associate’s degree from Southwest Virginia Community College (SVCC) just one week before graduating from high school. Throughout high school, Jacob was actively involved in numerous organizations and activities while also balancing the responsibilities of being a student-athlete.

In addition to his academic accomplishments, Jacob gained valuable hands-on experience by completing two summer internships with Terra Tech Engineering through the Thompson Charitable Foundation Simulated Workplace and Apprenticeship Program. These experiences gave him the opportunity to explore his career interests, build professional and technical skills, and gain meaningful real-world experience before beginning college.

In recognition of his hard work and participation in the program, Jacob also received a $2,000 scholarship to support his continued education.

This fall, Jacob will begin the next chapter of his academic journey at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where he plans to pursue a double major in Civil Engineering and Business Administration.

We are grateful to the Thompson Charitable Foundation for its continued investment in internships and scholarships for students in Buchanan County. Through its partnership with the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board and the Buchanan County Career and Technology Center, students receive both classroom-based learning and meaningful worksite experiences during their junior and senior years of high school.

Jacob’s accomplishments are a great example of what can happen when education, workforce development, and community partnerships come together to create meaningful opportunities for young people. We congratulate Jacob on all he has achieved and look forward to seeing where his education and career journey take him next.

Congratulations, Jacob!

08/17/2026

Coming to your community in September! Stay connected for more information.

08/13/2026

Calling Southwest Virginia employers and business leaders!

Join us for an Executive Roundtable on AI Adoption & Industry Challenges and connect with other regional leaders for a practical conversation about AI, workforce readiness, implementation, and real-world business results.

📅 September 16 at the VA Career Works Wise Center
251 Ridgeview Rd. SW
⏰ 9:00–11:00 AM

📅 September 17 at the Lebanon Community Rec Center
45 Gibson Street
⏰ 9:00–11:00 AM

Space is limited to encourage meaningful discussion. Request your invitation or confirm attendance today: [email protected]

08/11/2026

Reliable Transportation and Renewed Hope

For many people in Southwest Virginia, transportation can be a major barrier to maintaining employment and meeting basic needs.

Although Shiloh has a good job in Bristol, commuting from his home in Lebanon without a dependable vehicle made each day uncertain. With limited public transportation in Southwest Virginia, he often had to borrow a car or rely on friends to drive him to and from work. He was deeply grateful for their support, but he needed the stability and independence that come with having reliable transportation of his own.

Shiloh found that opportunity through the Cars to Work program offered by the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board and funded by a Wellspring Foundation Impact Grant. After contacting Lisa Hubbard at the SWVA Works office and completing the application process, Shiloh was able to purchase a Ford Focus this week.

“This program has literally saved my life,” Shiloh shared. “It has given me the mobility to support my family and earn an honest living. Having reliable transportation has increased my confidence and helped me move forward with hope and purpose. I want to continue doing great things for others and pay this kindness forward.”

Congratulations, Shiloh! Your story reminds us that a dependable vehicle is about much more than getting from one place to another. It provides the freedom to work, care for family, meet everyday needs, and build a more hopeful future.