Preparing Virginia's Workforce for a Technology-Driven Future

Building Core Skills for the 21st Century

The University of Virginia serves workforce needs across the Commonwealth by instilling relevant skills and competencies within all levels of education, beginning with K12 and expanding through undergraduate and graduate to post-baccalaureate and adult education. Digital literacy, skills in information technology, and the ability to innovate within these sectors are universal needs for today's global knowledge economy. Explore how UVA nurtures industry, school, and community partnerships to prepare Virginia's workforce for a technology-driven future.

Undergraduate and Graduate Education

  • Providing relevant skills for jobs - The UVA Career Center is a key partner in TechLink Central VA, a program helping to bridge the gap between regional employers and current UVA and community college students. TechLink provides greater visibility for entry level tech jobs in the Central Virginia region.
  • Improving digital and computational literacies within liberal arts - The College of Arts and Sciences created The New College Curriculum designed to help students flourish at UVA, in their chosen careers, and as active citizens. The curriculum stresses literacies that equip students with the necessary skills and fluencies needed to succeed in a rapidly-transforming world.
  • Offering computational science degree programs - UVA offers degrees in computer science, computer engineering, and a variety of technology-related education programs within UVA Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Darden School of Business, and the McIntire School of Commerce. Many additional students take entry level computer science courses while pursuing other degrees.
  • Addressing the challenges of Big Data - The University’s School of Data Science (SDS) is the first of its kind in the nation and serves as a model for furthering discovery, knowledge, and positive societal impact through collaborative, open, and responsible data science research and education. SDS now offers a minor in Data Science that is accessible to students across all of UVA's schools. In addition to traditional educational opportunities, UVA also offers fully online certificate programs that prepare learners for in-demand areas such as cloud computing and cybersecurity.

K12 and Adult Education

  • Integrating STEM in early education - There is national emphasis on STEM education to increase global competitiveness, yet engineering is foreign to many pre-college teachers. Little research exists on effective ways to integrate engineering into K12 settings. UVA researcher Jennifer Chiu and colleagues at the School of Education and Human Development are working on methods for integrating technology-enhanced engineering design projects and STEM curricula into early education with school systems in Virginia and beyond.
  • Building allied health professionals in Virginia - UVA is working with Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) to increase the pipeline of allied health professionals in Virginia. These workers will fill critical shortages in areas such as endocardiography, vascular sonography, and advanced imaging that require specialized technological skills. Read more about PVCC's programs here.