Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) has introduced NOVAnext, a comprehensive initiative to assist recently unemployed federal workers and contractors in transitioning to new careers.
“Many talented Northern Virginians are facing sudden, unexpected changes in their professional lives. As the community’s college, NOVA is focused on advancing opportunity, and the current moment has made our mission ever more important. We are honored to play a role in connecting residents across the region to their next steps, helping to build brighter futures,” said NOVA President Anne M. Kress.
NOVAnext is the region’s first program to offer dedicated training funds for unemployed federal workers and contractors. The college is committing up to $1 million in scholarship aid, enabling approved participants to enroll in one of 14 courses at no cost. Additionally, participants can access NOVA-sponsored online workshops on resume writing and job search techniques.
The courses available through NOVAnext prepare students for industry-recognized certifications in IT specialties, program management, and human resources. Other offerings include self-paced online entrepreneurship courses and a new class on Generative AI.
“NOVAnext is a step forward in strengthening our region’s workforce and tackling the challenge of ensuring long-term economic resilience. We commend Northern Virginia Community College for their swift action, empowering laid-off federal employees for future opportunities,” said Julie Coons, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “We are proud to partner with NOVA on this initiative and remain committed to building a dynamic, adaptable business environment that sustains Northern Virginia’s position as the economic driver for the region.”
To qualify for NOVAnext, applicants must:
- Be a displaced federal worker or contractor laid off on or after February 1, 2025.
- Reside within the NOVA service area, which includes Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
- Have lived in Virginia for at least one year to meet FastForward funding requirements.
- Complete an online application, which Virginia Career Works will review.
In addition to enrolling in a NOVAnext class, participants can also enroll in other FastForward or NOVA courses at regular tuition rates and may qualify for additional state financial aid.
The Washington, D.C., metropolitan area is home to a significant number of federal employees. As of December 2024, approximately 375,634 Federal Government employees were working in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan statistical area.
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