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VA · OJT

How Virginia OJT Reimbursement Actually Works for Employers

Virginia has no state-funded on-the-job training program. Employers use WIOA OJT through the 15 local workforce boards. You sign a contract with your board before the hire starts training, and the board reimburses part of the new hire's wages: typically 50%, and up to 75% where the board documents why. Boards set their own rates and caps: Northern Virginia pays 50% to 75% by employer size, while Central and Piedmont advertise up to 50%.

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  • State pre-filled: VA
  • Program type pre-filled: OJT
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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

  1. 1

    Call your local workforce board's employer services team

  2. 2

    Agree the trainee, job and training plan, then sign the OJT contract

  3. 3

    Employ and train the person; keep time and payroll records

  4. 4

    Invoice the board each month and keep the person on after the contract

1 VERIFIED PROGRAM

Where the Virginia money comes from.

Run by Virginia Works (policy) and the local workforce development boards (contracts and payment). Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

WIOA On-the-Job Training through your local workforce board

50% of wages, 75% in documented cases
THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD
WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of a percentage of wages during training. No need to document your own training costs.

HOW MUCH

Federal rule: up to 50% of wage rate, up to 75% using the 680.730 criteria. Virginia policy: typically 50%, up to 75% when documented. Northern Virginia: 50% to 75% by employer size, training costs may be limited to $5,000. Piedmont advertises up to 50%, maximum $8,000.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, as reimbursement of part of the trainee's wages. The employer pays the wages as usual.

WHO QUALIFIES
  • The trainee must be WIOA eligible, assessed, and have a plan showing OJT is appropriate
  • Employer must have a federal EIN and workers' compensation coverage
  • Employer must not have a pattern of failing to keep past OJT trainees
  • Employed workers only in limited cases (not self-sufficient wage and new technology or a new job)
Before you start: Yes. A signed contract with the board is required first.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Contact your local board's employer services team
  2. 2Interview the candidate the board refers, or use a reverse referral before hiring
  3. 3Sign the OJT contract and training plan
  4. 4Submit monthly invoices with time and attendance records

Deadlines and windows: Contract length is set by the local board and limited to the time needed to become proficient.

SOURCE: VIRGINIAWORKS.GOV
LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

Virginia Career Works Northern Region

Rates run from 50% to 75% by employer size: up to 75% for 1 to 19 employees, 65% for 20 to 99, 50% for 100 or more. Policy dated December 2016 inside a March 2025 compilation; confirm it is current.

SOURCE: VCWNORTHERN.COM
Virginia Career Works Central Region (Lynchburg)

Advertises up to 50% of wage rate. You must hire OJT participants as regular, full-time employees and may not replace people laid off within six months.

SOURCE: VCWCENTRALREGION.COM
Virginia Career Works Piedmont Region

Up to 50% of an eligible new worker's wages, with an $8,000 maximum.

SOURCE: VCWPIEDMONT.COM
AVOID THESE

What gets Virginia OJT claims denied.

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Virginia OJT questions.

How much of a new hire's wages will a Virginia board reimburse?

Typically 50%, and up to 75% when the board documents why. Boards set their own rates, so ask yours.

SOURCE: VIRGINIAWORKS.GOV
Do I have to prove what the training cost me?

No. The payment is treated as compensation for extra training costs and lower productivity. You document wages and hours.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
Can I use OJT for someone already on my payroll?

Only in limited cases: the worker must not earn a self-sufficient wage, and the OJT must cover new technology, new procedures or a new job.

SOURCE: VIRGINIAWORKS.GOV
Is there a Virginia-funded OJT program besides WIOA?

No state-funded OJT program was found. The Virginia Works OJT page covers Trade Act OJT for certified workers, so ask your local board about WIOA OJT.

SOURCE: VIRGINIAWORKS.GOV

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on . Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

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