Electrical Program
The Electrical Program prepares students for a career as skilled professionals in the electrical field. It places strong emphasis on safe work practices while covering applied electrical theory and residential, commercial, and industrial electrical knowledge and skills. Coverage of the National Electrical Code is integrated throughout the curriculum to ensure students are well-prepared for future careers as Journeyman Electricians.
The program also includes Core Craft Skills, which provides the basics in safety, hand and power tools, construction math, materials handling, construction drawings, rigging, and employability skills. After completing Level 1, students are encouraged to seek employment in the electrical field (if not already employed in the industry) to combine their classroom training with on-the-job experience, best preparing them for licensure.
What does a job in electrical typically look like?
HVAC Program
The HVAC program prepares students for careers as skilled mechanics and installers in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry. It covers the concepts technicians need to safely install, maintain and troubleshoot HVAC Systems. The program uses a hybrid training model, which combines both live classroom/lab training and online training using NCCER curriculum.
Core Craft Skills is also included in this program, and it provides the basics in safety, hand and power tools, construction math, materials handling, construction drawings, rigging and employability skills. After completing level 1, students are encouraged to seek employment in the HVAC field (if not already employed in the industry) to combine their classroom training with on-the-job experience to best prepare themselves for licensure.
What does a job in HVAC typically look like?
Plumbing Program
The plumbing program prepares students with skills required to apply for positions with a variety of companies. The program uses a hybrid training model, which combines both live classroom/lab training and online training using NCCER curriculum.
Core Craft Skills is also included in this program, and it provides the basics in safety, hand and power tools, construction math, materials handling, construction drawings, rigging and employability skills. After completing level 1, students are encouraged to seek employment in the HVAC field (if not already employed in the industry) to combine their classroom training with on-the-job experience to best prepare themselves for licensure.
What does a job in plumbing typically look like?
Student Handbook and Safety Manual
If you are considering a trades career training program, you will want to see our available handbooks pages below to help you prepare for an upcoming course. All handbooks are subject to change based on the needs of the program.
Apprenticeship
These trades programs meet the classroom requirements for a state-registered apprenticeship However, they do not place you into a state-registered apprenticeship, which is between a student and an employer.
Student Success
- Josiah Shortridge is just 22 years old, but the facility operator HVAC technician is already thriving in his career. Read his story here >>>
- Luis Camacho-Bruno is so much happier pursuing his trades education than he was while working towards his engineering degree. Read his story here >>>
What funding options are available?
The Skilled Trades Programs are FastForward programs and are also eligible for the G3 scholarship. Eligible residents who have been living in Virginia for at least one year may qualify for FastForward and pay only one-third of the cost of tuition. Since these are also G3 programs, you may be eligible for last-dollar funding, bringing your total tuition to $0. Please review the G3 information page, which outlines income qualifications and if you think you qualify or if you have any questions, please contact our operations team at 540-868-7021 to get registered.
Additional financial assistance, grant funding, and Sallie Mae loans are available here for eligible students.