Isle of Wight County is a part of the ACT Certified Work Ready Initiative, a national effort focused on building the local workforce through community-based economic development. Becoming a “work ready” community means the county is constructing an economic system that will:

  • Help individuals understand both the skills that are required by employers and how to prepare themselves for success.
  • Help policy makers, community leaders and educators measure and close skill gaps in the system, and build career pathways that help individuals and businesses thrive.
  • Help economic developers use an on-demand reporting tool that quantifies the skill level of the local workforce.

Under the Work Ready Initiative, men and women can get industry-recognized credentials – a National Career Readiness Certificate – based on their workforce skills. The initiative also gives Isle of Wight County access to a large database of occupational profiles, and identifies skills and skill levels needed for businesses that are hiring and training in the community.

You can learn more about the ACT initiative by contacting Kristi Sutphin, economic development coordinator in the county’s Economic Development Department, at 757-365-6249, by emailing ksutphin@iwus.net, or by visiting the ACT website.

Business Support

Businesses are encouraged to become a part of the new ACT initiative by registering online. Registration includes businesses in the ACT initiative database and helps you identify individuals with essential and verifiable skills.

Follow our Progress on the road to certification

ACT

ACT is a non-profit organization “dedicated to helping people achieve education and workplace success.” Nationwide, nearly half of all states have at least one “work ready” community, and more than 18,500 employers recognize the National Career Readiness Certificate.