Workforce Wednesdays is the Virginia Career Works – Piedmont podcast highlighting the people, programs, and partnerships shaping our regional workforce. Each episode features conversations with employers, educators, workforce professionals, and community leaders working to create opportunities across Central Virginia.
We’re excited to kick off Season 4 during Workforce Development Month with guests Zakiya Toirova and Dawn Jones of Charlottesville-based Loving Arms Care. In this episode, they discuss the growing need for in-home care services, the impact caregivers have on individuals and families, and the rewarding career opportunities available in the caregiving profession.
Listeners will also hear how Loving Arms Care was built around a mission of compassion, dignity, and helping people remain independent in their homes while supporting family caregivers along the way. The conversation explores workforce needs in healthcare, caregiver recruitment and retention, and pathways into the field, including free PCA training opportunities.
Stay tuned as Season 4 continues to spotlight the workforce and community partners helping strengthen the Virginia Career Works – Piedmont Region.
More Than Home Care
Loving Arms Care provides non-medical in-home care services for seniors and adults who need support remaining safely in their homes. Their services include companion care, personal care, dementia and Alzheimer’s support, respite care, transportation assistance, and more.
But as listeners will discover in this episode, caregiving is about much more than completing daily tasks. It is about building relationships, supporting families, and providing peace of mind during some of life’s most challenging moments. As Zakiya explains, the goal is not to replace family members, but to give them the opportunity to simply be family again.
A Growing Workforce Need
As Virginia’s population continues to age, the demand for qualified caregivers continues to rise. During the episode, Dawn discusses the increasing need for compassionate, dependable professionals who are willing to serve others and make a difference in their communities. She also highlights opportunities for those interested in entering the field, including free Personal Care Aide (PCA) training opportunities offered by Loving Arms Care.
For job seekers looking for meaningful work, caregiving offers career pathways that combine purpose, flexibility, and human connection. The episode explores what employers look for in caregivers, the challenges facing the healthcare workforce, and the rewarding impact caregivers have on the lives of the individuals and families they serve.
Contact us to learn more about opportunities in our region.
