Workforce and entrepreneur development

The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding

Founded in 1919, The Apprentice School in Newport News has graduated more than 11,000 apprentices over its long history. Part of Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division, it offers apprenticeship programs and Associate of Applied Science degrees in 19 shipbuilding disciplines and eight optional advanced programs of study, including marine engineering. Apprentices complete 1,000 hours of coursework and a minimum of 7,000 hours of on-the-job training. as.edu

Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia

The Goodwill Academy of Virginia provides paid training opportunities in programs where students develop foundational skills needed to get a job and to be successful at work. Participants are assigned a job coach and often do job shadowing and internships. goodwillvirginia.org

Hampton Roads Workforce Council

Established by the Hampton Roads Workforce Development Board, the Hampton Roads Workforce Council oversees federally funded workforce development programs for all localities in the region. The council offers general workforce services like financial coaching, helping businesses find qualified workers and hosting workshops covering job searches, résumés, job interviews and other topics. It operates the Hampton Roads Veterans Employment Center and offers programs for people ages 14 to 24 through its NextGen programs. theworkforcecouncil.org

Old Dominion University Veterans Business Outreach Center

Program offers a variety of services for active-duty and transitioning military service members, reservists, national guardsmen, veterans and their families who are interested in entrepreneurship and small business ownership. One program offered is Boots to Business, an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program. ww1.odu.edu/iie/vboc

Paul D. Camp Community College

The community college’s workforce development division offers options for employers and workers in western Hampton Roads. The college offers courses to gain industry credentials, professional certifications and licenses in various professions, including commercial driving, health care, welding, logistics and IT security. For businesses, the division offers customized workforce training. pdc.edu/workforce-development

Rappahannock Community College

Rappahannock Community College provides multiple skills and training programs for credentials, professional certificates and licenses across a range of industries, such as health care, welding and transportation. The college also offers career studies certificate programs that students can complete in one to two semesters, with courses in the culinary arts, HVAC, cybersecurity, criminal justice and other fields. rappahannock.edu/explore-programs/programs/short-term-programs.html

Tidewater Community College

Companies can book customized training at TCC’s campus, at the workplace or online, and TCC can provide classroom space, mechatronic and welding labs, as well as trucks or motorcycles for training needs. The college offers career readiness certificates as well as a variety of short-term workforce training courses in advanced manufacturing, health care, IT, maritime, hospitality and other fields. workforce.tcc.edu

Veteran Entrepreneur Program

Sponsored by the PenFed Foundation, a nonprofit founded by PenFed Credit Union, this accelerator program for veteran- and military spouse-owned and led companies takes place over six weeks. Participants meet for networking events, roundtables and mentorship opportunities. Business leaders hold seminars on topics like business development, sales and legal considerations. penfedfoundation.org/how-we-help/veip

Veterans Entrepreneur Scholars at William & Mary

Over the course of five weeks, current and former service members learn, on a part-time basis, the foundational skills of innovation and entrepreneurship. After identifying a startup idea and validating the market, students will take the first steps toward launching their own venture. Programs are held in person and remotely. wm.edu/offices/veterans/certificates/veterans-entrepreneur-scholars/

Veteran Startup Challenge

A part-time training initiative that runs over five weeks to train those who served the United States to create their own jobs through entrepreneurship and to begin careers in tech. Veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, spouses of those in the military, workers from the intelligence community and from the U.S. Department of Defense and Gold Star families are eligible. veteranstartupchallenge.org

Virginia APEX Accelerator

Administered by George Mason University, this program partners with public and private organizations to offer counseling and training to businesses that want to participate in the government procurement process. Counselors are located throughout Virginia, including Hampton Roads. The organization also hosts workshops and industry events. virginiaapex.org

Virginia Peninsula Community College

Virginia Peninsula’s workforce development program provides customized workforce training options for local employers and short-term career training for workers. Training program options include cybersecurity, health care, manufacturing and transportation. The college offers businesses customized training virtually or in-person locally. vpcc.edu/workforce