ready, willing and educated

Hampton roads is a diverse region of over 1.7 million citizens that includes urban, suburban and rural communities. compared to Virginia and the nation as a whole, the population of the Hampton roads region has grown at a relatively slow pace and tends to be younger, more diverse than the population of the u.s.1 one exception is suffolk, which has experienced a huge 32.8% increase in population over the past decade.

one factor contributing to Hampton road’s prosperity is its workforce. the region offers a fairly large civilian labor force consisting of approximately 825,000 people.29 the area is also home to approximately 160,000 active duty military and civilian personnel, increasing the estimated total labor force to nearly one million strong. the large military presence also gives the area a unique advantage: with an annual average of 13,000 exiting military personnel and over 30,000 military spouses,5 Hampton roads has a continuously replenishing labor force.

Education Is Serious Business

employers demand workers who can think critically and solve problems. workforce development facilities for career and technical training, professional development and re-employment services include those operated by the region’s community colleges, virginia employment commission, public schools, the military and the private sector. an average of 79% of area high school graduates elect to continue their education at two-year or four-year institutions of higher learning or through one of the region’s many vocational programs. the public workforce development system’s close working relationship with the region’s educational institutions ensure the local workforce has the skills needed to help keep area businesses and industries competitive. existing programs, particularly those in fields related to high-growth industries and occupations, have been shown to lead to improved employment and earnings outcomes.

More than 106,000 students are enrolled in Hampton roads’ thirteen colleges and universities and three community colleges. Most of these students are permanent residents, available for partor full-time employment. their 14,000 annual graduates provide a work-ready talent pool from which to recruit.

ENTREPRENEURIAL, DIVERSIfIED ECONOmy

support for innovation-based, highgrowth business within economic sectors is a key component of Hampton roads “vision.” studies have shown that about 75% of new job growth in the U.s. comes from high-growth entrepreneurial ventures that start as ‘small businesses’ but are designed to grow, a category where Hampton roads leads the nation.33

Diversification of the Hampton roads economy is focused on: technologybased innovation and education from advanced manufacturing and robotics to nanotechnology; coastal energy solutions; healthcare and life sciences; and environmental distinction. industry clusters are already here in modeling and simulation (M&s), information technology, biomedical, sensors and marine science.

M&s, designated a national critical technology by U.s congressional leadership, is supported strongly by military sponsors and has expanded to transportation, maritime operations, education and medical. Hampton roads is one of the country’s three leading regions in M&s along with orlando, Florida, and Huntsville, alabama. in Hampton roads, it has become a $640 million industry employing over 5,000 people with an average annual salary of $83,000.36

Bioscience includes research developed at local colleges, universities and federal labs as well as commercial entities and extends to organ replacement, marine science and medical devices. over 1,200 jobs paying an average of $65,000 annually exist in Hampton roads.28

Hampton roads is home to innovative research and development with internationally-recognized facilities including: nasa langley research center, the nation’s first civil aeronautics laboratory leading and advancing the american aerospace industry since 1917; the Department of energy’s unique Jefferson lab; old Dominion University’s virginia Modeling, analysis and simulation center; Hampton University’s Proton therapy institute, the latest, most precise cancer-fighting technologies; the national institute of aerospace in Hampton; and liebherr Usa, co. in newport news. there are active technology transfer offices and several technology business incubators available in the region where entrepreneurs can obtain office space and advice on building their businesses. •