Loudoun County’s workforce has long been one of its greatest competitive advantages. Home to one of the nation’s most highly educated talent pools, the county continues to attract leading companies because businesses know they can find the skilled employees needed to grow.

Maintaining that advantage requires more than attracting talent. It requires developing the next generation of innovators right here in Loudoun.

Enter Life Sciences Innovation & Future Talent Virginia (LIFT-VA), a collaboration of Athari Biosciences, Future Kings, and Genomic Education Mentors & Scientists (GEMS).

LIFT-VA is a workforce development initiative designed to introduce students and emerging professionals to careers in biotechnology, diagnostics, biomedical research, and other rapidly growing life sciences fields. Through hands-on laboratory experiences, mentorship, workforce training, and industry-connected learning, the program creates a clear pathway from classroom to career. Participants begin building technical skills as early as middle school and can continue through college and into the workforce, helping strengthen Virginia’s growing life sciences ecosystem.

The program reflects the type of collaboration that has helped make Loudoun one of the nation’s premier locations for innovation. By bringing together educators, industry leaders, and workforce partners, LIFT-VA gives students meaningful exposure to careers that are in high demand while helping employers cultivate the talent pipeline they’ll need for years to come.

That pipeline is especially important as Loudoun continues to diversify its economy. While the county has built global leadership in digital infrastructure and technology, it is also experiencing significant momentum in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and other innovation-driven industries. Programs like LIFT-VA help ensure local talent is prepared to take advantage of those opportunities.

Loudoun also benefits from one of the strongest education systems in the country. Virginia continues to rank among CNBC’s Top States for Business, earning a top-five ranking for education in the 2026 report. By pairing that strong educational foundation with career-connected experiences like LIFT-VA, students gain practical skills that complement classroom learning and prepare them for tomorrow’s workforce.

“Loudoun’s success has always been built on investing in people,” said Buddy Rizer, Executive Director of Loudoun Economic Development. “Our highly educated workforce is one of the reasons companies from around the world choose to invest here. Programs like LIFT-VA help ensure that advantage continues by giving students real-world experience, exposing them to career paths, and building the talent pipeline that will power the next generation of innovation in Loudoun County.”

LIFT-VA’s structured five-phase pathway emphasizes more than technical instruction. Participants gain mentorship, professional development, laboratory experience, and direct connections to employers, creating opportunities that can lead to internships and long-term careers. The program also helps employers reduce onboarding time by developing graduates with industry-relevant skills before they enter the workforce.

“LIFT-VA was created to make career opportunities in life sciences more accessible while helping build the workforce our region will need for the future,” said Susan Mitchell, Executive Director of LIFT-VA. “By connecting students with hands-on experiences, industry mentors, and real career pathways, we’re helping young people see what’s possible while strengthening Virginia’s innovation economy.”

As Loudoun continues to attract world-class companies across a growing range of industries, workforce development remains a strategic priority. Initiatives like LIFT-VA demonstrate that building a competitive economy begins long before someone enters the workforce. It starts by giving today’s students the knowledge, experiences, and confidence to become tomorrow’s scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.

Applications are now open for the Fall Cohort of LIFT-VA.  To learn more about the program and submit an application, visit lift-va.org.