Strengthening the Region's Talent Pipeline 

Frederick County EDA supports employers by strengthening the region’s talent pipeline today and for the future. Our initiatives focus on upskilling existing workers, preparing new talent for in-demand roles, and attracting qualified professionals to meet evolving business needs. Through collaborative partnerships with companies, regional economic development organizations, and education providers, we ensure career pathways align workforce skills with employer expectations.

A Showcase of Skilled Talent in Local High Schools 

Established in 2015, the Frederick County EDA's regional Widget Cup® event is an annual competition for high school teams drawn from students attending public schools in Frederick County, Clarke County, and Winchester, Virginia. Participating students solve a real-life business problem for a local employer by using skills acquired through Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) courses.

Hands-On Career Exploration

Each year, businesses, educators, and economic development partners in Clarke County, Frederick County, Page County, Rappahannock County, Shenandoah County, Warren County, and Winchester, Virginia, come together to host Worlds of Work.

Nearly 3,000 eighth grade students from the region will experience WoW! More than 70 businesses showcase equipment, vehicles, and machinery that students climb into, fix, and manipulate. There are animals students can touch and care for as well as life-like mannequins they might splint and stitch. The event is designed to be a hands-on exploration of possible careers.

Regional Hiring Fair

The Employer Expo regional hiring fair is hosted twice-annually by economic development partners in Winchester, Frederick County, Warren County, Shenandoah County, and Clarke County, Virginia. The comprehensive event allows job seekers to connect with employers in person, while benefiting from access to professional development workshops and career readiness resource providers.

Talent Attraction Tools for Job Seekers & Employers

The Northern Shenandoah Valley Talent Coalition is a collaborative network of economic development organizations from Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, and Warren counties, along with the City of Winchester. The coalition works together to strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline by aligning educational institutions, employers, and community partners. Through joint initiatives like talent retention strategies, career readiness programs, and employer engagement efforts, the coalition aims to support economic growth and connect graduates with meaningful job opportunities across the region.