Virginia Talent Accelerator Program Now Holds the Top Spot in Both Major National Workforce Training Rankings
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today celebrated that Virginia has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for its workforce training program in Area Development’s 2026 Top States for Doing Business report — reinforcing the Commonwealth’s position as a top state for talent and a national leader in preparing Virginians for high-quality jobs.
“Virginia is building the best workforce in America, and industry is taking notice,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program gives businesses a powerful reason to choose the Commonwealth by delivering customized training that prepares Virginians to succeed from day one. This No. 1 ranking reflects our commitment to helping more Virginians step into good jobs and ensuring employers have the durable, skilled talent they need to grow.”
The recognition marks another major national endorsement of the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, which was also ranked No. 1 in the United States in the annual Business Facilities Rankings Report for the fourth consecutive year. Together, the rankings affirm Virginia’s Top State for Talent strategy: helping companies recruit, train, and launch a job-ready workforce tailored to their specific operations while expanding career opportunities for Virginians.
“Workforce is one of the most important factors in any company’s location decision, and Virginia continues to distinguish itself nationally,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery. “The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program is a clear competitive advantage because it drives business growth by customizing talent solutions. This recognition reinforces that the Commonwealth is not only attracting investment but also preparing Virginians for the jobs those investments create.”
Area Development is a leading executive magazine covering corporate site selection and relocation since 1965. The 16th annual Top States for Doing Business report is based on a survey of expert consultants who advise companies on location decisions and evaluates the factors that make states competitive for business investment, including workforce readiness, labor availability, business climate, and operating environment.
Beyond its No. 1 workforce training ranking, Virginia placed No. 8 overall in Area Development’s Top States for Doing Business report. The Commonwealth also earned recognition across several individual location factors that support its Top State for Talent focus and reinforce its business competitiveness, including Innovation & Research Ecosystem (No. 5), Site Readiness Programs (No. 6), and Logistics & Transportation Infrastructure (No. 7).
“The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program is one of the Commonwealth’s strongest economic development assets and a cornerstone of Virginia’s Top State for Talent strategy because it turns talent into a practical, customized business solution,” said VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi. “Our team works directly with companies to design recruitment and training strategies that reflect their operations, culture and long-term growth plans. Area Development’s recognition underscores the program’s impact and the value Virginia delivers to companies creating jobs across the Commonwealth.”
The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program is a workforce initiative created by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System, with funding support from the Governor’s administration and the Virginia General Assembly. The program accelerates facility startups and expansions by delivering recruitment and training services fully customized to a company’s products, processes, equipment, standards and culture. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation.
Since its launch in 2019, the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program has supported more than 22,000 announced jobs across the Commonwealth through customized recruitment and training services for new and expanding companies.
Within the past 12 months, the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program has begun work to support major job-creating projects across the Commonwealth, including Avio USA in Hurt, RINGANA in Roanoke, and Jabil in Prince George. Additionally, Merck & Co. will use the program’s capabilities in support of their $3 billion expansion, which will serve as the company’s Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Small Molecule Manufacturing, generating 500 jobs at its Elkton site.