Career Pathways

If you’re like most, you don’t have years to gain the experience you need just to get a job. Several industries in the Lynchburg region have well-established career pathways, allowing you to get your foot in the door with just a career certification or associates degree.

Manufacturing has been the backbone of this region since the 1880s, when the Craddock Terry Shoe Company (once the fifth largest shoe manufacturer in the world) put Lynchburg on the map. That legacy hasn’t slowed down. Delta Star, the largest American-owned medium transformer manufacturer in the U.S., expanded twice between 2023 and 2026 — a combined $65 million investment that created nearly 500 new jobs right here in the region. Entry-level manufacturing roles often come with on-the-job training, competitive wages, and real room to grow.

Healthcare is the other big one. The region’s growing population has increased the need for frontline health professionals. If you’re open to getting certified, roles like Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, Emergency Medical Technician, and radiologic technologist are all high-need positions with strong starting salaries and long-term career potential.

If you’re relocating with some professional training under your belt, the good news is that business in the Lynchburg region is expanding.

In 2024, Framatome (a worldwide leader in the nuclear industry) committed a $49 million capital investment to the region, creating 515 new high-paying jobs. If you have a background in engineering, manufacturing, or technical operations, this is exactly the kind of employer worth targeting.

Healthcare is equally compelling. In 2025, Centra Health broke ground on a new 266,200 square foot facility. The three-year construction project is expected to sustain more than 2,500 trade-related jobs — meaning immediate openings for electricians, HVAC technicians, and heavy equipment operators. Up to 80 permanent healthcare positions are expected to be created once the facility opens in 2028.

The industries in the Lynchburg region are actively investing in the future. And even if you’re still working to earn the skills necessary for your dream role, our high concentration of colleges, universities, and training centers and work-based learning can help you quickly earn the credentials you need.