Overview
The Roanoke Region's workforce represents a range of talent combined with top-quality training. Our labor draw extends far beyond the boundaries of the region, attracting workers from areas within a 60-mile radius. That means the total labor supply consists of more than 300,000 people. And, with a high concentration of colleges and universities and training programs, new highly-skilled people are joining the workforce all the time. It's no wonder why businesses from all over the world choose the Roanoke Region for business.
This section contains a wealth information including detailed demographics of the labor supply, skill sets, wages, and available training facilities and programs.
Below are general facts about the workforce to get you started.
- Roanoke Region employers draw from a labor supply of more than 300,000 workers within 60-mile radius.
-
Low unionization and practically non-existent work disruptions due to labor disputes. Virginia is a right-to-work state.
- Consistently low absenteeism
-
A vast skill set and talent pool represented by employment in transportation/material moving, construction, mathematical/computer, health care, and finance related industries.
-
With more than 6,000 high school, 1,400 community college, and 10,000 4-year college graduates annually, highly educated and skilled workers are constantly entering the labor force.
- Twenty colleges and universities within a 60-mile radius and more than 100,000 students pursuing degrees.
- Six universities have masters programs in subjects including business administration, mathematics, engineering, and medicine.
-
Three universities offer doctorate programs in various fields including science and mathematics, economics, medicine, and law.
- As a leader in high tech research, innovation, and development, Virginia Tech is educating students in new technology and information fields.
- Nationally recognized workforce training and retraining programs and training facilities available.
