Local economic development organizations have joined forces to launch a comprehensive initiative aimed at assisting federal employees, contractors and other professionals facing career disruptions.
“The Pivot” is an initiative of the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance, which includes the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.
“Participants will gain insights into career exploration, entrepreneurial ventures, and skill development to successfully transition into new opportunities,” the alliance said in launching the effort last Friday (May 30).
As part of the initiative, an eight-week series of online seminars will be offered in June and July on a variety of career-transition and job-hunting topics. The first session on starting a new chapter will be held at 2 p.m. today (Tuesday).
According to the alliance, the Trump administration’s “sweeping changes” to the federal government have already affected more than 300,000 jobs across Northern Virginia, hitting private contractors and nonprofits as well as federal agencies.
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority currently has 45,750 active job listings.
Unemployment up compared to 2024
The number of Fairfax County residents counted as unemployed in April grew 46% from a year before, according to new data.
Though the raw number of unemployed individuals was down from the previous month, the significant year-over-year spike is another sign of a stressed local economy. In response, efforts are growing to support those in the economic crosshairs.
A total of 20,499 county residents were listed as jobless in preliminary April figures reported May 29 by the Virginia Employment Commission. That’s down from 21,162 in March, but it’s a notable increase from 14,015 in April 2024.
The county’s unemployment rate was 3.2% in April 2024, up from 2.2% a year before, according to the state figures.
The increase in laid-off federal employees and other people looking for work, including those with significant experience in their fields, has led some local government agencies and private firms to ramp up recruitment and hiring.
“We see it as an opportunity for us to get the cream of the crop,” Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority CEO and President Jack Potter said at the authority’s May 21 board of directors meeting.
Statewide, April’s jobless rate of 3.3% marked the fourth straight month of increases. For 2024, all 12 months had recorded rates of either 2.8% or 2.9%.
While some experts have warned that the Trump administration’s worker layoffs and proposed budget cuts could send the D.C. region into a recession, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s team believes current conditions need to be put in a larger perspective.
“Businesses across Virginia are still adding jobs. We’re working closely with industries to support expansion and investment that will drive long-term job creation,” Virginia Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater said after monthly statewide figures were released on May 21.
“Virginia continues to attract and retain high-quality employers,” Slater said. “Companies remain confident in our workforce and economy.”
Across Northern Virginia, total unemployment in April stood at 56,172 in April, according to figures reported May 28 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Though down from 58,662 in March, it was up 43% from 39,155 year-over-year.
Northern Virginia’s jobless rate of 3.1% in April was down from 3.2% in March but up from 2.2% in April 2024.
For the D.C. metropolitan area as a whole, April’s unemployment rate of 3.4% was down from 3.6% month-over-month but up from 2.5% a year before, according to the federal data.
Across the metro area, 120,391 residents were recorded as looking for work, down from 126,770 a month before, but up 35% from 89,293 a year before.
Joblessness rising in most metro areas
Nationwide, unemployment rates were higher in April than a year earlier in 286 of 387 metropolitan areas, lower in 72 areas, and unchanged in 29 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
A total of 77 areas had jobless rates of less than 3% percent and eight areas had rates of at least 8%.
In April, two South Dakota metro areas — Rapid City and Sioux Falls — posted the lowest jobless rates at 1.8% each. El Centro, California, recorded the highest rate at 16%. Of the 56 metro areas with populations of more than a million, Oklahoma City posted the lowest jobless rate (2.3%) and Fresno the highest (8.3%).
The national, non-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in April was 3.9%, up from 3.5% percent a year earlier.
Photo via Hunters Race on Unsplash
