RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today celebrated Virginia’s Top Employers for Interns — recognizing businesses in the InternshipsVA program that are leading the way in offering high-quality internship experiences to students across the Commonwealth. Launched by Governor Spanberger in February, InternshipsVA helps Virginia employers design and deploy paid internships for students to expand economic opportunity, strengthen workforce development, and set the next generation up for success.

“Virginia’s future economic success depends on creating meaningful pathways to connect students and young professionals with career opportunities across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “Congratulations to this year’s Top Employers for Interns! You are helping students see a future for themselves in Virginia. By providing high-quality, paid experiences and opportunities to build professional connections, these employers are strengthening their own workforce and reinforcing Virginia’s position as a Top State for Talent.”

Three statewide winners — representing small, medium, and large businesses — were recognized:

• Overhead Solutions Group, Norfolk (Small Business)
• Triple Point Security, Blacksburg (Mid-Size Business)
• Atlantic Union Bank, Richmond (Large Business)

Governor Spanberger recently celebrated InternshipsVA receiving national recognition from Business Facilities Magazine. The program was recognized with a 2026 Economic Development Organization Award as an innovative economic development program that helps communities attract business investment, create jobs, and strengthen workforce development.

“Internships are one of the most powerful ways to connect classroom learning with the skills employers need and to offer students meaningful, real-world experience,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery. “The employers the Commonwealth has recognized are setting a high standard for talent development by investing in the next generation of Virginians and helping build the strong, talented workforce that will drive our economic growth.”

“When students have the chance to apply what they learn in the classroom to real work, they begin to see how their education connects to a career, and a future, right here in Virginia,” said Secretary of Education Jeffery Smith. “The employers recognized today are opening doors for students and showing what high-quality, paid internships can do. I congratulate each of them for investing in the next generation of Virginians.”

“Work-based learning is one of the most effective ways to prepare people for lasting careers, and it works best when employers, educators, and workers are at the table together,” said Secretary of Labor Jessica Looman. “The Top Employers for Interns are doing exactly that by creating paid, structured experiences that build skills and confidence. Their commitment is strengthening Virginia's workforce today and for years to come.”

The awards were presented during the 2026 Virginia Education and Workforce Conference. Hosted by the Virginia Chamber Foundation in partnership with the Virginia Business Higher Education Council, the Virginia Business-K12 Partnership, and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), the conference brought together approximately 500 representatives from Virginia’s business, higher education, K-12, workforce development, economic development, and government communities to focus on strengthening the Commonwealth’s talent pipeline.

“As a Top State for Talent, Virginia is committed to helping employers connect with talented students and young professionals, and InternshipsVA is turning those connections into opportunities for future growth,” said VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi. “The employers recognized have shown an exceptional commitment to developing talent through high-quality internship experiences. Their leadership is creating opportunities for Virginians and strengthening the Commonwealth’s talent pipeline for years to come.”

Regional honorees from across the Commonwealth were recognized with the Innovative Employers Award for extraordinary internship programs and with the Inspiring Employers Award, which recognized established programs with longstanding support for interns’ career readiness. The full list of honorees can be accessed here.

Since its launch in February 2026, InternshipsVA has engaged more than 700 employers and partners, trained more than 500 employers in how to establish a high-quality internship program, and supported 845 internships with more than 290 employers through its matching grant. The program helps employers of all sizes and in all industries create and expand high-quality, paid internship opportunities through program design guidance, recruitment tools, employer training and resources, and matching grants for qualifying employers. InternshipsVA also established a first-of-its-kind statewide partnership with Handshake to support employer recruiting efforts and earned national recognition from Business Facilities Magazine for its innovative approach to strengthening Virginia’s talent pipeline.

# # #