As layoffs impact workers across various industries, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) is ramping up efforts to connect job seekers with new opportunities in Northern Virginia. With more than 90,000 job openings available, FCEDA, led by CEO Victor Hoskins, has launched initiatives to help displaced workers—particularly those with tech and cybersecurity skills, veterans, and professionals with high-level security clearances—find new roles quickly.
One of the key strategies includes weekly webinars on Thursdays, hosted in partnership with Virginia Career Works – Northern, The SkillSource Group, Inc., and Fairfax County Government, to provide job seekers with direct access to employers and career resources. In addition to virtual outreach, FCEDA is coordinating with family services and employment offices to host in-person hiring events throughout Northern Virginia.
For those transitioning from military or federal jobs, FCEDA is offering resume guidance, advising candidates to highlight security clearances and certifications upfront, and helping translate federal and military experience into private-sector language. Additionally, for workers looking to upskill or reskill, FCEDA is connecting them with local colleges and certification programs.
The first webinar attracted 220 attendees, and future sessions will feature key talent staff. With some companies openly announcing layoffs while others remain quiet, FCEDA is proactively engaging HR departments to understand candidate profiles and help match them with opportunities. The ultimate goal? Get people back to work efficiently and effectively.
Layoffs: NOAA
Over 1,000 protesters gathered outside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facility in Boulder, CO, in response to recent layoffs affecting the agency. According to congressional sources, the current administration cut over 800 NOAA positions last week, with estimates indicating that approximately 10% of the workforce at the Boulder location was impacted. NOAA employees and experts have expressed concerns that these reductions could affect the agency’s ability to provide critical weather forecasts, space weather monitoring, and disaster warnings. The layoffs come amid broader federal workforce restructuring efforts, with some policy proposals calling for NOAA to be downsized or restructured. Similar protests also took place at NOAA’s Silver Spring, MD, location, where demonstrators called for reinstating affected scientists. NOAA has not issued a formal response regarding the layoffs or their potential impact on operations.
Hiring: IDT
Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT) is on the hunt for top talent to support its mission of delivering cutting-edge automated solutions to the Department of Defense. With headquarters in Arlington, VA, and a presence in multiple states, IDT is expanding its workforce across a range of disciplines, particularly in software automation, security, and systems engineering. The company, which has been at the forefront of defense technology innovation since 2006, recently secured a multiyear PMS 401 Phase III contract, fueling new hiring efforts within its Undersea Warfare Systems division. Currently, IDT has over 50 open positions requiring security clearances, with the bulk of opportunities in Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
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Opportunity to Watch
IonQ has officially commissioned a cutting-edge quantum networking system at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Rome, NY, marking a major step forward in government-backed quantum computing research. This on-premises system, based on trapped ion technology, is designed to enhance quantum networking methodologies and algorithms, reinforcing the U.S. government’s investment in next-generation computing capabilities.
IonQ’s ongoing partnership with AFRL has resulted in multiple contracts totaling over $94.4 million since 2022. AFRL Deputy Director Michael Hayduk emphasized the role of quantum computing in tackling national security challenges, materials science advancements, and optimization problems, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering industry partnerships that accelerate innovation.
The newly installed system is expected to catalyze new academic and industry collaborations at AFRL’s Innovare Advancement Center while strengthening U.S. national security and technological leadership in quantum computing. This deployment follows IonQ’s expansion into Europe and other U.S. data centers, further solidifying its role in advancing scalable and interoperable quantum solutions worldwide.
