Honaker High School

"Law Enforcement is a Family Affair"

When he was a senior at Honaker High School, Caiden enrolled in the SWVA Works Young Adult program. He was interested in law enforcement, so his Workforce Specialist, Lisa Hubbard, placed him in a WIOA-funded work experience training program at the Honaker Police Department. Caiden worked there as an Administrative Assistant and learned the inner workings of a police department, including cataloging evidence and riding along with officers to observe their routines.

After he completed his work experience hours, he entered training at the SWVA Criminal Justice Training Academy with WIOA financial assistance from SWVA Works for tuition and training supplies. Completing the Academy helped him gain a full-time police officer position with the Honaker Police Department. He later transferred to the St. Paul Police Department. After gaining more experience there, Caiden achieved his career goal of becoming a Deputy with the Russell County Sheriff’s Department.

Nick is following in his brother's footsteps. He enrolled in the SWVA Works Young Adult program, and his Workforce Specialist, Lisa Hubbard, placed him in a WIOA-funded work experience training program at the Honaker Police Department. After graduating from high school, Nick was transferred to the St. Paul Police Department to gain more experience and further his knowledge in this career path.

Nick stated, “The program has helped me find a career by giving me the opportunity to work closely with law enforcement. Since starting the program, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career as a police officer. Without the program's help, I wouldn’t be where I am today working towards my future career.”

SWVA Works and other partner agencies will assist Nick with training expenses when he begins the SWVA Criminal Justice Training this month to gain his certification and work toward his career goal of becoming a Certified Patrol Officer.

Caiden and Nick took advantage of the opportunity that SWVA Works provides through WIOA-funded training and assistance with supportive services. The Young Adult program helps 16-24-year-old individuals with career assessment and goal planning. Workforce Specialists work with them to develop a career plan and help provide or coordinate with other partner resources to provide work experience, internships, on-the-job training, travel assistance, books & training materials, and certification test fees.

They can also receive incentive payments for completing educational and work-related activities.

SWVA Works provides WIOA-funded employment and training assistance to individuals in Lee, Scott, Wise, Dickenson, Buchanan, Russell, Tazewell Counties, and Norton City. (WIOA – is the federally funded Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act).

For more information, please visit us at

or call (276) 883-4034 for information in your area.