Groundwork is a 6-8 month program. It provides empowerment, education, and career development to help participants transition with confidence into the next phase of their lives.

4 Stages of the Trainee journey

• Awareness and Introduction: Groundwork is not a permanent job. Positions are full-time but temporary (lasting about 6 months). During this time, Groundwork provides a support structure for career exploration and a timeline to help trainees transition to a career past their time in the program.
• Onboarding and Exploration: Trainees learn about ASD and the practical aspects of on-site work. Trainees also earn baseline certifications for job skills and are given the opportunity to explore career opportunities.
• Immersion and Empowerment: Trainees pursue additional certifications or areas of interest, and identify careers of interest and concrete next steps to get there.
• Transition: For some, this is direct entry to the workforce; for others, this is pursuit of education or a refocus on other priorities such as family or relocation. Transition from the program looks different for every trainee, but the core goals of empowerment, education, and career development are true for every trainee.

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to participate in recovery-centered training and become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. To participate, you must: 

• be recruited into either the Agribusiness Pathway in Tazewell or the Warehouse Logistics Pathway in Duffield (these are outlined below) 
• have a history of Substance Use Disorder (SUD Recovery)

This training is an added part of the regular Groundwork experience, which includes earning various work-ready certifications through the Virginia Adult Education system, as well as the everyday job training outlined in the appropriate Pathway below.

Our goal is to help those experiencing SUD Recovery transition into well-paid jobs in the recovery system. Virginia, and specifically Southwest Virginia, has a shortage of Certified Peer Recovery Specialists. Using your lived experience and your voice as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist is a vital part of helping others become more resilient as they navigate their own recovery journey.

3 Training pathways to choose from

• Agribusiness:
  Gardens & Greenhouse
• Warehouse Logistics:
  Food Hub
• Commercial Kitchen:
  Food Truck
• Apply
  Now

Job Description: This training pathway is for ideal for beginning farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs, who will spend time in our community gardens (Abingdon and Tazewell) and our Late Bloomers greenhouse (Abingdon), building entry-level skills related to small scale agricultural production, small business management, and marketing.

• Time Frame: 6-8 Months
• Cohort Size: 2-5 associates per location
• Locations: Abingdon, VA and Tazewell, VA
• Associated Initiatives: Late Bloomers social enterprise (Abingdon) and Healthy Tazewell (Tazewell)
• Certifications: Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and Pesticide Management

Job Description: Trainees in this pathway will work in the Appalachian Harvest Food Hub in Duffield, learning entry-level inventory, warehousing, logistics, and distribution skills. Trainees will also learn fork lift operation, how to use a pallet jack, and how to operate equipment related to food washing. Trainees will prepare food for distribution to retail outlets, will manage food box distributions every Friday.

• Time Frame: 6-8 Months
• Cohort Size: 2 associates
• Locations: Duffield, VA
• Associated Initiatives: Appalachian Harvest Food Hub, Appalachian Harvest Herb Hub
• Certifications: OSHA Safety standards and forklift/pallet operations, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Pesticide Management, and options to pursue Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and LEED Green Associate.

Job Description: This pathway is for entry- and intermediate-level trainees, who will work in ASD’s food truck providing nutritious and primarily local-sourced food to customers throughout Southwest Virginia. Trainees will learn food prep, food safety, and food service best practices, as well as business management skills like inventory, marketing, and customer service. Trainees will attend festivals as part of the food truck’s sales strategy, which will require weekend work.

• Time Frame: 6-8 Months
• Cohort Size: 2-3 associates
• Locations: Across Southwest Virginia
• Associated Initiatives: Appalachian Harvest Burgers & Bowls Food Trailer
• Certifications: OSHA General Safety certification and the SERVSafe Food Handler certification

Recruitment is open! Click to apply.

Additional Support

WHat are Barriers to Employment?

A barrier to employment is a challenge that prevents someone from getting or keeping a job or advancing their career. These challenges include, but aren’t limited to:

• Former incarceration
• Disability
• Low income
• Limited education (for example, no high school diploma or GED)
• Independent Living former foster care
• Post-military
• Substance use disorder

Meet the Groundwork Team

Hannah Gibbs

Workforce Development Program Director

David

Tazewell Garden Manager

Lisa Worley

Abingdon Garden & Greenhouse Manager

Josh Thompson

Manager of Social Enterprise

Tori Jessee

Groundwork Personal and Professional Development Manager

Get Involved

We are always looking for business partners who can provide job shadowing, mentoring, and educational opportunities. If you’re interested in helping build our economy by building a more skilled workforce, contact Hannah Gibbs, Workforce Development Program Director, at hgibbs@asdevelop.org.