Richmond, VA – October 14, 2025 – Virginia’s two gubernatorial candidates, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, joined business, education, and policy leaders at the 2025 Virginia Education and Workforce Conference today at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

The Virginia Chamber Foundation (VCF) and its partners – Virginia Business Higher Education Council, VCF Workforce and Education Center, and Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership – hosted the conference with a focus on strategies to maintain Virginia’s #1 State for Education ranking by CNBC in their “America’s Top States for Business” report and strengthen the Commonwealth’s talent pipeline to meet future workforce needs.

The event drew more than 500 participants and featured panel discussions and keynote presentations highlighting internships, talent development pathways, and innovative public-private partnerships that connect education to employment.

Keith Martin, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Virginia Chamber, said: “Virginia’s future depends on how well we prepare our workforce. Research from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce shows that millions of experienced workers will retire in the coming years, while too few new workers are entering the labor market with the skills needed. Closing this skills gap is critical to sustaining economic growth and opportunity. Today’s discussions help ensure our talent pipeline is ready for the challenges ahead.”

Linda Stanley, Chair of the Virginia Chamber Board of Directors, added: “Blueprint Virginia underscores the importance of strengthening Virginia’s workforce through collaboration between business, education, and government. This conference brings those partners together to share solutions that will keep Virginia’s economy strong and competitive for years to come.”

Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger said: “Over the past several months, I’ve laid out my real plans to grow Virginia’s economy, protect Virginians’ jobs, and invest in Virginia’s workforce. As the next Governor of Virginia, I will support smart, much-needed investments in Virginia’s early childhood, K-12, and higher education that are foundational to making sure Virginia is the best state for business and for working families. Because Virginia needs a Governor who will put Virginia — not a President, not a political party — first. And I have a record of bringing people together across party lines to get things done.”

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears said: “Education changed my life, just as it changed my father’s. When he came to America with only $1.75 in his pocket, it was education that gave him the chance to build a better life for our family. That same opportunity is what I want for every Virginian. When we connect education with real jobs and real purpose, we strengthen families, communities, and the entire Commonwealth. I’m grateful to be part of this conversation about how we can keep that promise alive for every student across Virginia.”

Both candidates expressed support for maintaining Virginia’s right-to-work statute.

Kirk Cox, President of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council, said: “Our recently released Virginia Higher Education Impact Agenda makes clear that we cannot be the Best State for Business without being the Top State for Talent, and the way we get there is prioritizing higher education investments with the greatest impact. The comments of the candidates and the panelists highlighted those priorities and the importance of business and higher ed partnerships on everything from affordable talent pathways to university research and problem-solving innovation.”

The priorities of today’s event reflect the goals outlined in Blueprint Virginia 2035, the Virginia Chamber’s comprehensive business plan for the Commonwealth: to strengthen Virginia’s pipeline and position the state as the top destination for talent through 2035 and beyond.

For more information on the 2025 Virginia Education and Workforce Conference and other events, especially the Economic Summit and Forum on International Trade where the Blueprint will be presented to the Governor-elect, visit vachamber.com.

About the Virginia Chamber Foundation: 

The Virginia Chamber Foundation is the 501(c)(3) arm of the Virginia Chamber, which tracks economic competitiveness and advances long-term policy solutions. Through in-depth research and analysis, strategic initiatives, and sector-specific Industry Councils, the Foundation develops, advances, and tracks the proposed priorities within Blueprint Virginia – a comprehensive plan to position the Commonwealth as the best state for business. These Councils convene leaders from across key industries to provide expert insight on public policy issues shaping Virginia’s future. The Foundation will present the next iteration, Blueprint Virginia 2035, to the Governor-Elect at the 2025 Virginia Economic Summit and Forum on International Trade on December 5. Learn more at https://vachamber.com/foundation/about-the-foundation/

 About the Virginia Chamber of Commerce:

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce is the largest business advocacy organization in the Commonwealth, with more than 30,000 members. The Virginia Chamber is a non-partisan organization that champions the interests of the business community in the legislative, regulatory, and political arenas to serve as the catalyst for positive change in all areas of economic development and competitiveness for Virginia. Learn more at www.vachamber.com

 About the Virginia Business Higher Education Council: 

VBHEC was founded in 1994 by Virginia business leaders on the principle that the prosperity of Virginia and the well-being of its citizens is fundamentally tied to access to a strong system of public colleges and universities.

A nonprofit, nonpartisan partnership between Virginia’s business community and higher ed leadership, VBHEC’s mission is to enhance the performance of Virginia’s public colleges, universities, and community colleges and their funding by state government so they can produce the greatest possible positive impact on Virginia’s economy.

VBHEC is committed to educating the public about higher education’s crucial role in Virginia’s economy, and it strives to secure the support needed for the Commonwealth’s colleges, universities, and community colleges to be affordable and accessible for all Virginians and rank among the nation’s best.

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