JMU complements state’s success in developing strong workforce

Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday that Virginia’s workforce training program and its Talent Accelerator Program have been ranked No. 1 in key national rankings. 

Complementing the state’s workforce development success, a recent survey by the JMU Career Center found that nearly 75% of JMU graduates from the class of 2024 found work within six months of receiving their diplomas and almost 66% of them found jobs in Virginia. 

The Career Center survey also revealed that nearly 82% of graduates from JMU teaching programs are teaching in Virginia, and more than 68% of nursing graduates are working in the state. 

In addition, the survey shows 194 graduates from the class of 2024 are working full-time in the Shenandoah Valley, and more students remain in the region following graduation than the number who attended from the region. 

JMU’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) also provides workforce development opportunities for traditional and non-traditional students. 

SPCE Dean Nicholas Swartz said his school plays a vital role in strengthening Virginia’s workforce through credit and non-credit professional development programs including bachelor’s degree completion, graduate degrees and certifications, professional certifications, and corporate training.  

“At SPCE, we see workforce development as part of our core mission,” Swartz said. “We create flexible pathways that enable individuals to meet their career goals and gain the skills and credentials they need to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.”