WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Is the Roanoke Connect Database working?
Member Center:
Last Spring, the city of Roanoke created an employment database to help recent graduates and others who want to work in western Virginia. So how's it going?
Western Virginia still has a long way to go to make sure young professionals who want to work here are able to find good jobs. But we can tell you the Roanoke Connect Database is working.
After seven months as an Investment Associate at Shenandoah Life Insurance, Matt Huff is still "the new guy" in the office. He's happy to be there. The Franklin County native and Virginia Tech graduate wanted to stay in western Virginia. The Roanoke Connect Database helped him find a job he looks forward to each morning.
Since the city of Roanoke created the database, and began emailing a newsletter with job listings, the website has signed up 1,700 people from 44 states. They've charted at least 33 success stories.
Dennis Williams has been with Railroad Risk Management since November. "I think it's very crucial and necessary for the Roanoke Valley to attract and retain young talent that will help our overall economic growth and stability of this region," says Williams.
Coordinator Stuart Mease hopes the database will continue to grow.
