Kim Phillips, the Apprenticeship coordinator at Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC), knows the school is a valuable resource for businesses. Her job is to ensure the business community also knows.
“Many simply don’t realize we’re here ready to help them grow their workforce,” she said.
For years, VPCC has had strong pathways for many skilled trades, but it also offers apprenticeship opportunities in cybersecurity, healthcare, and information technology. Recent funding from the Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Building America grant program will bring more businesses into the fold in the next three years.
The $426,709 grant awarded to the College is part of the Hampton Roads Regional Apprenticeship Hub project, an initiative led by the Hampton Roads Workforce Council focused on expanding access to apprenticeships for job-seekers in Southeastern Virginia. The Apprenticeship Hub is also supporting similar apprenticeship projects in partnership with other Hampton Roads educational institutions, including Tidewater Community College, Paul D. Camp Community College, Mid-Atlantic Academy of Skilled Trades, The Apprentice School, and Old Dominion University.
Jamarkis Mitchell, Director of the Hampton Roads Regional Apprenticeship Hub at the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, leads the project and coordinates activities with all subaward partners.
“As the regional convenor of workforce development, the Hampton Roads Workforce Council is committed to expanding apprenticeship opportunities focused on critical regional industry clusters,” Mitchell said. “These apprenticeships will help job-seekers launch fulfilling careers in targeted industries, including maritime construction, IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and education,” he said.
Several partners involved in the Apprenticeship Hub project are using grant funds to expand capacity for their programs, increasing access to apprenticeship opportunities across the region. The grant funding is allowing other partners to support personnel, augment existing apprenticeship pathways or develop new programs.
VPCC is using this funding for a combination of capacity building and staffing, including Phillips’ position as Apprenticeship Coordinator. Phillips’ role is to ensure a seamless experience for business partners seeking to establish programs with the College. VPCC will offer related instructional training to support apprenticeships, and the partner businesses will provide on-the-job training.
“If an employer expresses interest in launching or expanding an apprenticeship program, the Apprenticeship Hub project will provide incentives that help mitigate the associated upfront costs,” Mitchell said.
The project allows VPCC students to explore different trades and provides opportunities for the next generation of educators interested in critical industries such as cybersecurity or cybersecurity infrastructure.
Because businesses must devote significant attention to immediate challenges, long-term workforce planning and development can sometimes be difficult to prioritize.
The grant strengthens VPCC’s ability to support employers and students. Businesses gain a structured, cost-effective workforce development strategy, and apprentices receive the training, mentoring, and skills needed to grow into high-demand careers.
“Our apprenticeships are not just about filling today’s jobs,” Phillips said. “They’re about preparing the region’s workforce for the future. VPCC is here to help employers build tomorrow’s leaders.”