VIRGINIA WORKS ANNOUNCES SEVEN EMPLOYERS UPSKILLING VIRGINIANS TO ADVANCE IN QUALITY, HIGH-DEMAND CAREERS AS PART OF MARITIME & NUCLEAR WORKFORCE ACCELERATOR

RICHMOND, VA – Virginia Works today announced that seven employers have been selected through a competitive award process to receive funding under the Maritime & Nuclear Workforce Accelerator, an employer-driven, sector-based initiative designed to strengthen Virginia’s workforce in shipbuilding, ship repair, nuclear energy, and advanced manufacturing. The Accelerator is funded through WIOA Title I Governor’s Reserve Funds, supporting statewide investments that align training resources with critical industry needs. 

These employer funding awards are the next step in the Accelerator initiative that began with an industry needs assessment supported by a coalition of regional industry and workforce partners including maritime and nuclear energy employer representatives, the Virginia Manufacturers’ Association, the Virginia Department of Energy, the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, the Central Virginia Workforce Development Board and the Virginia Community College System. This stage of the program provides incremental reimbursement of up to 80% of employer training costs, capped at $100,000 per employer, enabling companies to deliver high-quality technical training in occupations such as welding, machining, electrical systems, coatings, pipefitting, nuclear operations, and advanced manufacturing technologies identified as high-demand and with opportunity for employees to advance into the next step of their career pathways. 

• Colonna’s Shipyard (Hampton Roads, Virginia; Industry: Maritime) – Operating in the maritime industry, Colonna’s Shipyard employs a wide range of skilled trades, from machinists and welders to dockmasters, mechanics, riggers, and safety specialists, to support ship repair and marine maintenance. 

• Day & Zimmermann (Norfolk, Virginia; Industry: Nuclear) – Day & Zimmermann employs apprentice level craft professionals, including electricians, riggers, welders, pipefitters, insulators, painters, and scaffold builders, who support high-precision maintenance and operations at nuclear facilities.  

• Fairlead (Portsmouth, Virginia; Industry: Maritime) – Fairlead operates in the maritime industry and employs skilled trades such as electrical integrators, riggers, crane operators, abrasive blasters, painters, welders, and Non-Destructive Testing personnel to support marine integration and ship repair work. 

• Framatome, Inc. (Lynchburg, Virginia; Industry: Nuclear) – Operating in the nuclear industry, Framatome, Inc. employs engineers who support the design, maintenance, and safe performance of nuclear systems and facility operations. 

• Prism Maritime Inc. (Chesapeake, Virginia; Industry: Maritime) – Prism Maritime Inc. employs junior installation technicians, pipefitters, marine electricians, and welders who support shipboard system installation, maintenance, and repair. 

• Riggins Company (Hampton, Virginia; Industry: Maritime) – As part of the maritime industry, Riggins Company employs fitters and welders who support ship repair, fabrication, and marine maintenance work.  

• Wilson Pipe & Fabrication LLC (Norfolk, Virginia; Industry: Maritime) – Wilson Pipe & Fabrication LLC operates in the maritime industry and employs production managers, trainees, welders/fabricators, quality assurance/non-destructive testing managers, procurement managers, and administrative coordinators who support marine fabrication, quality assurance, and shipyard project operations.  

“Our nation depends on Virginia’s shipyards, nuclear facilities, and advanced manufacturers to keep us safe, secure and building the infrastructure needs of tomorrow,” said Virginia Secretary of Labor Jessica Looman. “The Maritime & Nuclear Workforce Accelerator helps these critical employers invest in the skilled and trained workforce they need and ensures Virginians have access to good-jobs and opportunities for career advancement. This is exactly what our workforce system should deliver.” 

“This is what employer-driven workforce development looks like in practice, and how it can help every Virginian to advance in their careers,” said Nicole Overley, Commissioner of Virginia Works. “We began by asking industry what they actually need and then give them the opportunity to train and advance their own people — and giving them a clear, high-quality next step in their careers.” 

“With the Lynchburg region’s 70+ year history in nuclear engineering and its role in powering America’s clean energy future, this grant demonstrates Virginia’s commitment  

to strengthening and retaining this critical industry,” said Traci Blido, Executive Director, Central Virginia Workforce Development Board. 

“Virginia’s leadership in the maritime and nuclear industries depends on a workforce strategy that is responsive, coordinated, and driven by employer demand,” said Shawn Avery, President & CEO, Hampton Roads Workforce Council. “The Maritime & Nuclear Workforce Accelerator is an important investment that will help companies develop the highly skilled workforce needed to sustain these critical industries for years to come.” 

More information and program updates will be periodically available on the Maritime & Nuclear Workforce Accelerator webpage at: virginiaworks.gov/maritime-nuclear-accelerator.