United Company Foundation invests in tomorrow's workforce with $50,000 gift to United Way of Southwest Virginia

New gift will help support the Ignite Program aimed at educating tomorrow’s workforce in Southwest Virginia

Abingdon, VA (December 14, 2022) - Tomorrow’s workforce in Southwest Virginia received a boost in the form of a $50,000 investment from The United Company Foundation to United Way of Southwest Virginia’s Ignite Program.

The program is the only regional workforce initiative that serves the emerging workforce of almost 30,000 6th -12th-grade students in the region. The program is a partnership among UWSVWA, 18 local school systems, 5 community colleges, and 80 employers in Southwest Virginia, representing approximately 20% of the land territory of the Commonwealth.

“We are incredibly thankful for this amazing contribution to our Ignite program, and our area’s workforce of tomorrow as a whole,” said Travis Staton, President & CEO of UWSWVA. “We believe that career awareness and hands-on learning can tap into that workforce to help keep workers right here at home. The generosity of The United Co. Foundation will help us continue that mission.”

Ignite serves the needs of local employers and school systems to grow and diversify the local economy, strengthening the talent pipeline for the entire region. Funding for this project creates and expands partnerships between educational entities and regional employers.

You can read more on the Ignite Program by clicking here.