Putting the future of the region’s workforce front and center, Virginia Peninsula Community College is gearing up to open its newest training facility, the VPCC Newport News Trades Center.
In celebration, a ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for Wednesday, March 25, at the 520 21st St. center. College officials, joined by city and industry leaders, will be on hand for the 9 a.m. event.
The 16,000-square-foot facility is scheduled to open this spring. It’s expected to prepare more than 400 students annually for high-demand careers in maritime trades and residential construction. Experts indicate these fields are critical to the region’s economy and national defense priorities.
Todd Estes, vice president for Workforce Development and Innovation at VPCC, said the new training center reflects the College’s commitment to expanding hands-on, industry-aligned training that meets regional workforce needs.
“The Newport News Trades Center is not only an investment in our local community,” said Estes, “but also a strategic investment in our nation’s security, strengthening the skilled trades pipeline essential to supporting Hampton Roads’ shipbuilding and ship repair industry, including Newport News Shipbuilding.”
The facility was funded through a partnership among the College, the City of Newport News and the Maritime Industrial Base. It will offer practical training programs in welding, marine electrical, structural fitting, coatings, electrical, HVAC, plumbing and facilities maintenance.
For Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones, this could not be a more ideal and timely collaboration.
“The Virginia Peninsula Community College Newport News Trades Center is a game-changer for workforce development and economic growth in Newport News,” said Jones. “By expanding access to high‑quality trades education, we’re creating pathways to well-paying careers and strengthening our shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing workforce.
“This facility demonstrates what’s possible when education, industry, and local government align around shared workforce goals – opening doors for our residents, supporting employer needs, and helping ensure Virginia remains a leader in innovation and industry for decades to come,” added Jones, who is Newport News’ 27th mayor.
Just blocks from HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding the center sits in a historically underserved community. College leaders and partners in the venture say the strategic location is a move to help spark community revitalization by connecting residents with highly sought-after skills and long-term career opportunities.
“At Newport News Shipbuilding, we don’t just build great ships, we build great careers,” said Xavier Beale, NNS vice president of human resources. “We must continue to make strong investments in workforce development to build and deliver the nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines our U.S. Navy requires. The Newport News Trades Center will be an important element to ensure we have the shipbuilders ready to meet the needs of our nation for generations to come.”
Estes agreed, re-iterating the new facility is “a major investment in our regional workforce.” It’s a venture aligning skilled trades training with local industry demand and was built through solid partnerships with the Newport News Economic Development Authority, the Maritime Industrial Base and the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, he added.
The College received a $457,000 Advanced Manufacturing Talent Investment Program grant in 2024 to outfit the center’s 20-booth welding lab with state-of-the-art technology. Additional funding from the College’s FY25 and FY26 Workforce Pipeline allocations will support other labs, including a realistic, multi-trade maritime mock-up designed to mirror real-world job environments.
College leaders expressed appreciation to the City of Newport News, industry partners, and the Commonwealth of Virginia for their collaboration and investment in the project.
The $9 million trades center was designed by RRMM Architects, with construction by the W.M. Jordan Company.
Hailed as a win for students, industry and the community, the VPCC Newport News Trades Center expands the College’s skilled trades offerings. The College also provides construction and building trades training at its Toano Trades Center in James City County.