Job Seeker Services
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP AT A CAREER CENTER
Whether you are beginning a career path, need to sharpen your skills, or just want to find a new job, the knowledgeable and friendly team at the Virginia Career Works – Lynchburg Center can help you conduct a successful job search, update your skills, network with area employers, and connect with the right tools and resources. Complete our online orientation to get started.
Visit us at 3125 Odd Fellows Road, Lynchburg VA 24501 or contact us below.
LOOKING FOR WORK?
See a list of job openings in the greater Lynchburg area.
FIND A NEW CAREER
Hear from local employers and learn about the exciting opportunities and viable career paths available in our region.
SERVICES AVAILABLE AT LOCAL LIBRARIES
Virginia Career Works Central Region provides services at local libraries. At each site you can meet with our career navigators, begin the assessment process, and receive basic career services.
Amherst Library- 382 South Main Street, Amherst
Madison Heights Library – 200 River James Shopping Center, Madison Heights
J Robert Jamerson Memorial Library- 157 Main Street, Appomattox
Patrick Henry Memorial Library- Lynchburg Ave., Brookneal
Timbrook Library, 18891 Leesville Road, Lynchburg
Bedford Central Library– 321 N. Bridge Street, Bedford
OUR NETWORK
Learn more about organizations in the Virginia Career Works network that assist job seekers and employers.
Virginia Works – the Commonwealth’s Department for Workforce Development and Advancement – seeks to create, sustain, and retain a viable workforce that supports the current and future talent needs of Virginia’s business and industry. It accomplishes its mission through public-private partnerships and while recognizing unique regional attributes and capabilities. Learn more at: https://virginiaworks.gov/
The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), is the public employment service established to assist workers in finding suitable jobs. There are no fees charged for our services. The Virginia Workforce Connection (VAWC) is your online source to connect with potential employers, search for jobs, find training opportunities, and research wage data along with industry and occupational trends. Learn more.
Veterans are given priority of service through the Department of Labor. This may include individualized career and training-related services to veterans with significant barriers to employment. In addition, the Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) Program conducts employer outreach, shares information on credentialing and training opportunities, and facilitates job fairs. Learn more.
Adult and Career Education of Central Virginia provides FREE adult education classes in the region, specializing in English Language Acquisition, Foundational Skills, College and Career Readiness, workforce preparation activities, and Integrated Education Training. Some classes have continuous enrollment, which means learners can begin at any time, and are taught in both day and evening formats to accommodate the schedules of busy adults. Classes are offered in various locations throughout the region and are taught by qualified instructors who meet or exceed the minimum requirements for employment. Adults who wish to improve their English or basic literacy and/or numeracy skills may receive one-on-one volunteer tutoring or enroll in classes even if they do not have the goal of earning a secondary credential. Learn more.
The Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) provides vocational services through specialized Vocational Rehabilitation counselors who are fluent in sign language. They work to reduce the communication barriers between persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and those who are hearing, including family members, service providers, and the general public. Learn more.
The Virginia Division for Rehabilitative Services assists with employment services to help people with disabilities get ready for, find, and keep a job.
Local office:
Lynchburg DARS
2250 Murrell Road, Suite F
Lynchburg, VA 24501
Phone: 434-947-6721
Fax: 434-947-6723
Web site: http://www.vadars.org/
The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is a state supervised and locally administered social services system. Providing oversight and guidance to 120 local offices across the state, VDSS delivers a wide variety of services and benefits to over 1.6 million Virginians each year. VDSS’ programs are designed to help Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens find permanent solutions to life’s many challenges. The Department is responsible for administering a variety of programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Adoption, Child Care Assistance, Refugee Resettlement Services, and Child and Adult Protective Services. The goals of VDSS is to promote the well-being of our citizens through the delivery of essential services and benefits to ensure families are strengthened, and individuals achieve their highest level of self-sufficiency.
Web site: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/
Local offices:
Amherst Department of Social Services
224 Second St.,
P. O. Box 414,
Amherst, VA 24521
(434) 946-9330 or (434) 946-9319
Director: Susan Mays
Appomattox Department of Social Services
318 Court St.,
P. O. Box 549,
Appomattox, VA 24522
(434) 352-7125 or (434) 352-0064
Director: Brad Burdette
Bedford Department of Social Services
Burks-Scott Building
119 E. Main St.,
PO Box 1187,
Bedford, VA 24523
(540) 586-7750 or (540) 586-0781
Director: Andy Crawford
Campbell County Department of Social Services
69 Kabler Lane,
P.O. Box 860,
Rustburg, VA 24588
(434) 332-9585 or (434) 332-9699
Director: Lisa Linthicum
Lynchburg Department of Human Services
99 9th St.,
P.O. Box 6798,
Lynchburg, VA 24505
(434) 455-5850 or (434) 847-1785
Director: Tamara Rosser
Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 to 24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. Learn more.
Goodwill Industries of the Valleys operates the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which is the only federal workforce program targeted to low-income older workers. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration through grant agreements with the state and eligible organizations such as Goodwill. Learn more.
HumanKind is a non-profit human services organization that has been serving children and families since 1903 providing hope and helping equip people with the tools to build a strong foundation for life. We offer a broad range of services that foster the social, mental and financial well-being of families. We believe in building people up; we believe strong individuals and families build stronger communities. Learn more.
Job Seeker Success Stories
A job seeker came in for an appointment with a Virginia Employment representative, during the meeting she realized he attended the 12th grade but had not obtained a diploma. While at the center, she was able to connect him with our Adult Education representative, Contessa to discuss options. Contessa met with the job seeker and got him signed up for GED classes. The classes were offered at no cost to the job seeker and he was able to attend the classes in the evenings. During this time, with the assistance of the workforce center staff, he got a permanent job at Boxley with benefits.
Edward was a cook. After 16 years in that occupation he was earning only $11.25 per hour. Wanting to get out of the food service to improve his financial circumstances, he registered for employment assistance at the center. Edward received assistance in assessing his interest, skills and abilities, resume preparation, interview skills, and effective job search techniques. Within several months, a local manufacturer held a hiring event at the center. Edward was notified. He came in, completed an application and was interviewed on the spot. Two weeks later, he was hired with a starting pay of $18.00 per hour.
A high school graduate with a learning disability and little social skills got connected with our case managers at the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative services (DARS). He previously worked doing side jobs and loved to work with his hands. He was quick to catch on to directions and was a kinetic learner. Our case manager, met with him to discuss how we could best assist him. By working together, we got this job seeker a part time job stocking shelves for two months. Through the work experience he will learn work-related skills, increase his social skills while getting paid.