Groundwork
What is Groundwork?
Groundwork is a paid, on-the-job training and skill development program designed to help individuals with barriers build a more resilient future, while fulfilling ASD’s mission to support local food and agriculture.
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.
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
We are currently hiring for the following positions – click to apply!
Additional Support
Trainees also participate in Professional Development and Personal Development activities and workshops, both as a group and on an individual level.
Professional Development
Group professional development includes:
- Professional resume with review for specific job applications
- Cover letter writing workshop and development
- Mock interview workshop
- Goal Setting workshop
- Financial Literacy workshop
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workshop series
Individually, trainees may receive additional support related to their specific career interests. Some examples include:
- Enrollment assistance for college or coursework
- Extended education enrollment for non-conventional coursework
- Certification support
- Job shadowing opportunities
- Internships opportunities
- Hybrid employment opportunities
Personal Development
Some examples of personal development that can be supported through the program include:
- Securing or recovering a driver’s license, state ID, or passport
- Securing access to transportation
- Securing access to housing
- Securing access to childcare
- Registering for healthcare
- Access to crisis care services
- Access to mental health services
- Access to wireless internet and a phone plan
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
Bob Etherton
Groundwork Commercial Kitchen Manager & Cohort Supervisor
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.
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