Portsmouth@Work is designed to get Portsmouth residents into high-paying jobs by connecting them with the employment assistance, skills training, and education they need.   We are dedicated to helping these residents break down the barriers that might be keeping them from either employment or a higher-paying job.  

We believe that Portsmouth residents who want to work should be put to work.

Get in touch with the Portsmouth@Work team by emailing us today at atwork@portsmouthva.gov or call us at 757.393.8832. 

Download the information deck here!

Portsmouth Economic Development offers a variety of programs and trainings to connect citizens with higher-paying jobs. 

Overarching Program Goals:

  • Form an environment of collaboration to strengthen Portsmouth’s talent development and curate pathways for meaningful employment.
  • Build accessibility to workforce resources and services that prepare individuals for employment that increases the quality of life factors.

Work From Home Skills Training

This self-paced, online course will help you find a work from home position quickly!

  • Approximately 9 hours of training included. 
  • Log-on at any time and complete the modules at a pace that works for you.
  • Once registered, you’ll have access for as long as necessary to complete the course. [Some restrictions apply]
  • A Certificate of Completion is issued via download when the course is complete.

IN THIS COURSE YOU’LL RECEIVE:

Unlimited, non-expiring access to 17-course modules with 3.5 hours of video led by Chris Durst, plus bonuses.

The modules cover everything you need to find and land work from home jobs and gigs quickly, including:

  • The secret weapon to uncover jobs before companies even post them to job boards.
  • How to find work from home jobs with great benefits, paid training and equipment provided. 
  • Insider tools, tricks and resources. 
  • 55+ industry-specific job boards to help shorten your search.
  • Resources for acing a remote job interview.
  • Resources to amp up your resume to make it through screening software. 
  • How to expertly navigate corporate websites to find all their home-based jobs
  • How to go straight to the work from home jobs at 100+ BIG COMPANIES, like Amazon, Apple, U-Haul, Hertz, Dell and many more – updated regularly with new companies
  • The best search terms to find great jobs and filter out scams
  • How to find part-time jobs, full-time jobs, and gigs that let you work when you want

DigitalLearn

Computer skills are a vital part of jobseeking and even a large component of hiring decisions. 

DigitalLearn is a self-paced 27-module course designed to help people who want to increase their digital literacy to learn beginner and intermediate computer and internet skills.

DigitalLearn is made primarily of video tutorials ranging from five to twenty minutes. They feature topics from “why should I use a computer” to how to search for jobs online. 

DigitalLearn has tutorials in English and Spanish on:

  • Computer Basics
  • Using various operating systems
  • Using email
  • Internet privacy concerns
  • Resumes and online job searching
  • Cloud storage
  • Skype and social media
  • Buying a plane ticket

NORTHSTAR Digital Literacy

The NORTHSTAR Digital Literacy Assessment is aimed at helping you acquire the skills you need in today’s workplace.

This program is 14-self-paced assessments that show your ability to perform basic computer tasks.

You can earn badges in the areas of essential computer, software and technology skills.

Let us help you improve your computer skills and show employers what you know.

Test takers can receive certificates and/or digital badges when they pass assessments in a proctored environment at a Northstar testing location. Student result pages link to learning resources in NSOL for skill areas needing work. Once students pass Northstar, which certifies basic skills, they are qualified to pursue more advanced training, certifications, or career pathways elsewhere.

Skills to Succeed Academy

This 36-module, self-paced online training is brought to you by Accenture’s Skills to Succeed Academy. 

Skills to Succeed Academy is a free interactive, online employability training program focused on building the skills you need to choose the right career, find a job and succeed in the workplace.

Begin with a simple pre-assessment that generates a personalized curriculum. Then, tackle interactive modules that help you identify your transferable skills; create a great resume, stand out in an interview and more.

HRT DriveNOW Training

The DriveNOW program, a partnership among Hampton Roads Transit, Portsmouth@Work, and the City of Portsmouth prepares Portsmouth residents for a career as a Bus Operator with HRT and beyond.

  • Earn your CDL Class B
  • Learn new skills
  • Get Hired

Program eligibility includes:

  • Portsmouth residents 18 years of age or older
  • Valid Virginia Driver’s License for 2 years
  • Not failed the Virginia CDL Learner’s Permit Test more than once
  • Have a High School Diploma or GED
  • Pass both the CDL medical and drug screening
  • No DWI/DUI in the last 5 years
  • No Barrier Crimes to employment

Unemployed & Underemployed Looking for Work

In partnership with Tidewater Staffing, join us for this free job training focused on skills for warehouse, logistics & maritime roles. 

Program Includes:

  • Interactive Soft Skills Training
  • NorthStar Digital Literacy
  • Financial Literacy Workshop
  • Job Skills Training: OSHA-10, Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) Badge, Virginia Ship Repair Association Training
  • Career Counseling Services – direct job placement available

In partnership with

Start the Future You Want 

The Start the Future You Want Job Training Program is open to young professionals, aged 18-24, and allows for training for a career in the Maritime Industry. This free training is offered in partnership with Tidewater Staffing

Program Includes:

  • Interactive Soft Skills Training
  • NorthStar Digital Literacy
  • Financial Literacy Workshop
  • Firewatch Training
  • OSHA-10
  • Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) Badge
  • Virginia Ship Repair Association Training
  • Career Counseling Services – direct job placement available

In partnership with

The SmartStart Entrepreneurship Training Program is a multifaceted approach to getting entrepreneurs and solopreneurs ready to do business with clients, with banks, and with vendors.

This program covers topics such as business ideation, marketing, selling, customer service, and how to overcome the biggest obstacle stopping you from starting your business: you.

This training includes:

  • 3-part program: Online Training – Business Plan – Pitch Your Business
  • Resources and mentorship on everything you need to know to start, run and grow a business
  • Participants receive a certificate of completion
  • Participants will have a loan ready business plan upon completion
  • Program completed in small, virtual cohorts for a built-in support system and automatic networking