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Welcome to the Virginia Employment Commission

Featured VEC Content

Virginia Job Outlook

The Job Outlook brochure lists a sampling of high-growth occupations by educational attainment and annual wages projected to 2024 as well as occupations that are projected to decline.
View the Brochure

December Unemployment Rate 4.1 Percent

Virginia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was down 0.1 percentage point in December.
Read the LMI Press Release

Greater Richmond Community Hiring Event

Dozens of regional employers and jobs counseling/training organizations will be attending this event on February 14th.
Learn more about this hiring event

Norfolk Career Fair and Hiring Event

Meet face to face with employers.
Career seekers should dress professionally and bring multiple copies of their resumes.
Learn More About the Norfolk Career Fair

Bridging the Hiring-to-Hired Gap

Learn more about the VEC's Bridge to Employment Program.

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News and Announcements

Virginia Advances in Annual Workforce Development Rankings

“Virginia’s intensified workforce development efforts over the last few years are helping our businesses gain access to the skilled and qualified workers they need to grow and prosper,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore.
Read more about this ranking...

Galax Office Relocating

The VEC office in Galax, VA will be closed January 25th-27th. It will open on Monday, January 30, at a new location - 1117 E. Stuart Drive, Suite 167, Galax, VA 24333 at 8:30 a.m.
Read more about this announcement...

Data Users Conference Announced

Topics featured will include examining the long-term decline in labor force participation rates, the gig economy and how it is being measured, and the availability of data at the local level.
Read more in the VEC's Press Release

Decrease in Employers' Tax Rates for 2017

The VEC has announced that the average Unemployment Insurance tax for employers is expected to decline $22 per employee or about $83 million in 2017. Virginia is on pace in 2016 to have the lowest initial claims since 1974.
Learn more about the decrease...

W.A.R.N. and Rapid Response Services

All Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letters and requests for Rapid Response assistance should be directed to Felecia M. McClenny, State Rapid Response Coordinator, by FAX at (804) 819-1699 or by email at ycrewe@vccs.edu.

Job Seekers

For Job Seekers For Job Seekers

Newspaper Job Listings

Register with the
Virginia Workforce Connection

The VEC's Virginia Workforce Connection (VAWC) is your online source to connect with potential employers, search for jobs, find training opportunities, and research wage data along with industry and occupational trends.

Veterans

Veterans

Veterans from all periods of military service are eligible for job referral, job training and job placement assistance through the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC).

Veterans may access these employment services through a statewide network of VEC offices. We also work with those that are currently transitioning out of the military.

View more information for Veterans

Upcoming Job Fairs

group

View more Job Fairs

Find A VEC Office

Search Map VEC Offices

Employers

For Employers For Employers

Interview

Employee or Independent Contractor?

Sometimes an employer will classify workers as contractors instead of employees. In these cases, contract workers are responsible for paying their own payroll taxes, including federal and state income taxes and both the employer and employee portion of Social Security taxes. In most cases, contractors are responsible for providing their own Workers Compensation Insurance and are not eligible for Unemployment Insurance if their services are no longer needed.

Learn more about how to classify workers

Tax Filing / Registration

EditThe VEC offers several ways to file your Unemployment Insurance Tax Reports and pay your Unemployment Insurance Taxes:

Learn more about Employer Tax Filing / Registration and find out which system best fits your filing needs

VWC

VAWC

The Virginia Workforce Connection (VWC) was established to help employers find qualified candidates and post job opportunities.

In the Find Talent! section, you can:

Go to the Virginia Workforce Connection

Employer Links

Unemployment Insurance

Learn more about UI Learn more about Unemployment Insurance

Application

Unemployment Insurance Benefits

File your initial or continued claim online

You may also file by telephone:

  • For initial claims, call between 8:15am and 4:30pm, Monday - Friday (closed state holidays): 1-866-832-2363
  • For continuing claims, call: 1-800-897-5630

To view a comprehensive list of everything you need to get started with your application including special forms and telephone numbers for the hearing impaired, please visit our Claimant Resources page.

 

I'm Unemployed! Now What?

It might have happened this way: Your boss just told you that within the next two weeks the company is closing its doors forever. Or, perhaps the company is downsizing and you just lost the only job you've had for the past decade or more. 

However it occurred, it may be your first time to be "out of work." So, what do you do now?

Here are some basics on how to deal with being unemployed

Our Claims Processes

gearsThree steps make up our claims process. Before you file a claim, understand each step and how you can best file and register for work.

Each step makes good things happen for you and understanding each step's purpose makes things go smoother for all.

Learn more about the steps for filing a claim

Fraud Alert

Fraud alertPeriodically we receive an alert that someone is falsely representing themselves as the Virginia Employment Commission. While we do our best to combat fraud, sometimes the best people to help prevent fraud are the ones who may be the target.

You can anonymously report Unemployment Insurance Fraud to the VEC by calling 1-800-782-4001. 

Learn more about UI Fraud

Internet Appeals

gavelIf you have received a decision about your benefits from us, you will be able to file an appeal from that decision. An appeal is a process where someone at the VEC reviews the decision you received and then decides whether it is correct.

You must file an appeal in order to get this review. If you do not file a timely appeal, the decision you have will control your right to benefits.

Learn more about Internet Appeals

Labor Market Information

Visit the LMI Website Visit the LMI Website
Diverse Workers

Projected to 2024
Virginia Job Outlook

Overall, employment in Virginia is projected to grow 9.3 percent by 2024 exceeding the national growth rate of 6.5 percent.

Which jobs are expected to grow or decline in Virginia?
The Job Outlook brochure lists a sampling of high-growth occupations by educational attainment and annual wages projected to 2024 as well as occupations that are projected to decline.

View the Job Outlook Brochure

Recent Trends

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Labor Market Data

Market ResearchResearch labor market, economic and demographic data and compare information over time between regions.

Labor Market Analysis

Resource Library

libraryBelow are some resources that will help you strengthen your understanding of labor market information.

Publications

publicationThe Virginia Employment Commission produces several LMI-related publications. A few of them include: 

More Publications

Slide Shows

slideshowOur economists periodically give presentations to various groups of people, and we have posted some of these slide shows online for you to view.

View Slide Shows