Maximus Partners with the Virginia Ready Initiative to Help Virginians Get Back to Work

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− Maximus unites with coalition to combat COVID-19 job loss across the Commonwealth −

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Maximus (NYSE:MMS), a leading provider of government services worldwide, announced today it is a Business Partner of the Virginia Ready Initiative (VA Ready), a new initiative to help unemployed Virginians across the Commonwealth get back to work quickly. In response to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on unemployment, VA Ready, in partnership with businesses and Virginia’s community colleges, equips people who are out of work with the required skills for in-demand jobs in high-growth sectors.

“At Maximus, we foster a culture that respects and values individual contributions and differences that spark innovation, leadership, and exceptional performance. Incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion is a personal and business imperative,” shared Bruce Caswell, Maximus President and CEO. “Given the diverse nature of our BPO services, we offer a wide variety of employment opportunities from supporting individuals through case work and engagement center operations to driving business development opportunities, to enhancing our digital transformation through IT. No matter the role, we are driven by our mission to help government serve people though health and human services benefit programs, here in Virginia, as well as across the country and around the world. We are proud to partner with VA Ready and help Virginians find a home at Maximus.”

“As the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we are seeing an urgent need to get Virginians back to work,” said Glenn A. Youngkin, co-founder and chairman of VA Ready. “Employer engagement is critical to retraining thousands of Virginians for in-demand jobs. I’m grateful to Maximus and the unique coalition that is partnering in this much-needed effort.”

More than 800,000 people in the Commonwealth have filed for unemployment since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Low-wage earners and minority communities have been hit the hardest. At the same time, demand is projected to grow for specialized jobs in the fields of technology, healthcare and manufacturing/skilled trades.

VA Ready, a newly formed public charity, rewards out-of-work Virginians who commit themselves to training for in-demand jobs. VA Ready Scholars earn a credential in one of many selected training programs through FastForward, a state-led short-term workforce credential program to train Virginians for top, in-demand jobs across the Commonwealth. FastForward is offered through the Virginia Community College System’s (VCCS) 23 community colleges. Upon achieving their credential, VA Ready Scholars receive a $1,000 Credential Achievement Award and are offered opportunities to interview with VA Ready’s business partners.

“The goal of VA Ready is not just to give our scholars a credential, but a clear path to a high-quality job at one of Virginia’s best companies,” said Caren Merrick, CEO of VA Ready. “Likewise, companies will have access to talent they know have been through a credential program that reflects their needs, which will enable them to grow their businesses, remain competitive and stimulate our state’s economy. It is a win-win for everyone.”

As a VA Ready Business Partner, Maximus will be supporting the initiative in several ways, including:

  • Financial support for Credential Achievement Awards and awareness efforts
  • Input on offerings and curricula to VA Ready’s Talent Task Force with VCCS to ensure training program success
  • Participating in the VA Ready Job Exchange and providing job interview opportunities to VA Ready Scholars

For more information on VA Ready, including how the recently unemployed can apply, or how a business can become an employer partner, visit vaready.org.

About Maximus

Since 1975, Maximus has operated under its founding mission of Helping Government Serve the People®, enabling citizens around the globe to successfully engage with their governments at all levels and across a variety of health and human services programs. Maximus delivers innovative business process management and technology solutions that contribute to improved outcomes for citizens and higher levels of productivity, accuracy, accountability and efficiency of government-sponsored programs. With more than 35,000 employees worldwide, Maximus is a proud partner to government agencies in the United States, Australia, Canada, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit maximus.com.

About the Virginia Ready Initiative (VA Ready)

VA Ready is uniting stakeholders, including the Commonwealth’s business community and the FastForward program of the Virginia Community College System to retrain out-of-work Virginians with high-demand skills and build career opportunities.

Lisa Miles 703.251.8637
lisamiles@maximus.com

Blake Travis 703.712.4169
blaketravis@maximus.com

Source: MAXIMUS

Released June 29, 2020