Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) is sponsored by Virginia State Council of Higher Education. Awards grants to Virginia institutions to transform federal work-study programs into internships and work-based learning opportunities.

Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) Institutions of Higher Education The Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (Virginia TOP) connects Virginia businesses that have work-based learning opportunities to Virginia students looking for them, with Virginia’s higher ed institutions serving as the main catalyst. Are you interested?

The Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (Virginia TOP) bridges the gap between Virginia higher education institutions, their students, and businesses providing work-based learning opportunities. Students are looking to enhance their learning experience and gain real-world knowledge that will translate into a job after graduation. Are you in higher ed?

The Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership addresses one of the top issues facing the business community: talent. Focusing on work-based learning produces a talented workforce with the skills needed to fill in-demand jobs across Virginia.

The Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (Virginia TOP) connects students with businesses, allowing them to build their resumes, demonstrate post-graduation workforce readiness, and gain valuable insight into and experience within Virginia’s business community. Are you a student or a parent? V-TOP celebrated Virginia Intern Day on Thursday, July 31st, 2025.

Virginia Intern Day is an opportunity to recognize employers who have provided robust internship programs that benefit our leaders of tomorrow and highlight interns’ contributions to our workforce. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Virginia TOP is rolling out regional support services for employers, students and institutions of higher education.

To learn about our support for work-based learning in your area, select your county or city on the map or below: Please click on a region to learn more. Please click on a region to learn more. By connecting everyone.

Virginia TOP gives the right tools to Virginia businesses, students, and higher ed. The end goal is to connect businesses with students who want to learn by doing. We help businesses, students, and higher ed share work-based learning opportunities much more efficiently.

We encourage graduates to live and work in Virginia by creating more high-quality opportunities. We help fuel Virginia’s talent pipeline, an important aspect in keeping our state at the top of business rankings. Simply, it says we’re not doing enough to encourage students to live and work in Virginia after they graduate.

That’s where Virginia TOP helps: to give students deep roots in Virginia’s business community prior to graduation.

of students entering higher education have never been employed Source: Washington Post, 2015 of Virginia graduates completed undergraduate internships Source: SCHEV, October 2021 of Virginia graduates said their internship helped them receive a job offer Source: SCHEV, October 2021 concern of Virginia businesses surveyed is access to necessary talent Source: Blueprint Virginia 2025, Virginia Chamber of Commerce “Access to a talented, well-educated workforce continues to be one of the top priorities for businesses in Virginia.

Through Virginia TOP, we have the opportunity to foster greater connectivity between the education institutions, and employers. Virginia TOP will strengthen the transition from learning to earning for all stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth.

” Former President & CEO, Virginia Chamber “The Innovative Internship Program (the Program) creates a new pathway for Virginia’s students, not only to meet current workforce needs and regional economic growth, but also to enhance job readiness and higher education affordability.

The Virginia Talent and Opportunity Partnership is a significant public-private partnership to help accomplish the goals of the Program and complement other ongoing efforts to increase connectivity between students and employers around the commonwealth. ” “Virginia TOP will ensure that more students have the resources they need to gain meaningful workforce experiences before graduation.

Connecting more students to potential full-time, well-paying careers after graduation is immeasurably important for Virginia’s economic future. ” Innovative Internship Fund and Program chief patron “Business and higher education leaders know that collaboration works. It creates and grows pathways from school, to college, to good jobs and careers and help ensure Virginia will continue to have one of the best workforce’s anywhere.

Our Virginia Business Higher Education Council will continue to advocate for the resources needed for collaborative initiatives that work for Virginians. ” Chair, Virginia Business Higher Education Council “The Virginia Talent and Opportunity Partnership will position our students to lead in an increasingly competitive landscape.

By improving the readiness of students, businesses, and institutions of higher education, Virginia TOP will provide the connectivity needed to build our workforce of the future. ” President, Virginia Business Higher Education Council