Registered Apprenticeship programs have traditionally been associated with building trades, such as plumbing and electrical, and service trades like cosmetology and barbering.
However, employers across Southern Virginia are rethinking how Registered Apprenticeship can serve new industries, showing that these programs are adaptable, accessible and effective.
With support from the Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeship (ExTRA) program offered by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), diverse businesses are launching customized apprenticeship programs to meet their unique needs.
Danville-based Kegerreis Digital Marketing launched apprenticeship programs in four non-traditional roles to expand their possible candidate pool. Red Oak Excavating in Charlotte County now runs the only Heavy Equipment Operator Registered Apprenticeship in GO Virginia Region 3 (which covers 15 localities across Southern Virginia) as a way to upskill current employees and grow their workforce. Both have leveraged resources and support from the ExTRA program to create and implement their programs.
“Employers across the region can rely on ExTRA for the thorough and ongoing support they need to create and grow effective Registered Apprenticeship programs.” – Natori Neal, IALR Apprenticeship Coordinator
An Effective Workforce Development Strategy
A Registered Apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with related technical instruction. Apprentices earn a wage while learning and receive pay increases tied to acquired skills. Employers benefit by “growing their own” skilled workforce aligned with company culture and goals.
IALR’s ExTRA program helps employers register apprentices, develop training plans and connect with education and workforce partners. Businesses may also receive grant funding of up to $2,700 per apprentice per year to support the cost of related technical instruction.
Apprenticeship bridges the gap between education and employment in fields like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, information technology and more.
Funded by a nearly $500,000 Tobacco Revitalization Commission grant, the ExTRA program has played a vital role in expanding registered apprenticeship opportunities by supporting employers – as evidenced by the Apprenticeship Ambassador Award from the U.S. Department of Labor. IALR is approved by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (Virginia Works) Division of Registered Apprenticeship as a state apprenticeship intermediary.
Since 2022, ExTRA has supported:
- 27 employers in the creation of
- 30 new registered apprenticeship programs, which has resulted in
- 94 registered apprentices
The program has also assisted employers with existing programs to revitalize and scale their efforts. The ExTRA program has even supported the launch and successful implementation of Virginia’s first EMT and Paramedic Registered Apprenticeship programs.
Natori Neal, IALR Apprenticeship Coordinator who runs the ExTRA program, says apprenticeship can be adopted in many industries. There are over 1,000 apprenticeable occupation options.
A statewide and national push exists for Registered Apprenticeship in emerging sectors, making them a viable alternative to traditional education in various fields.
Kegerreis Digital Marketing: Innovating Talent Development
One example of a nontraditional apprenticeship program is at Kegerreis Digital Marketing, which has four occupations registered: Technical Sales Specialist, UX Designer, Software Developer and Digital Marketer. Each program lasts 18 months and combines hands-on learning with instruction and mentoring.
“We don’t always struggle to find qualified applicants, but we want people who want to invest in the community and grow with our company,” said Emily Iem, Director of Service Delivery at Kegerreis. “We may find people with less experience or looking to change their career. Apprenticeship is a great way to give them structured experience and a clear growth plan.”
One apprentice, Manfred Nissley, started at Kegerreis in August 2024. Nissley has two master’s degrees in Library Information Studies and Archival Studies but wanted to switch gears and pursue a career in digital marketing.
“This apprenticeship program is a fantastic way to gain a lot of knowledge in a short time while working full-time,” he said. “I have a mentor teaching me the ropes of advertising and the details of Google. I’ve learned about adapting, changing plans and improving in the long run.”
Manfred Nissley
Kegerreis also uses a Rural IT grant from the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center to help offset training costs.
“The support from IALR has been amazing as we launched these programs, made changes and had questions,” Iem said. “Apprenticeship allows us to give people tasks to do while they’re learning and to break up the education with real, hands-on experience.”
Red Oak Excavating—Heavy Equipment Operators
Red Oak Excavating decided to establish a heavy equipment operator apprenticeship program to allow them to participate as a subcontractor on an industrial solar project in Halifax County. (Contractors on clean energy projects can earn tax credits by employing apprentices.)
Instead of simply joining the main contractor’s program, owner Gene Hall and project manager Lane Gunn decided it would be worthwhile to create a separate program for Red Oak Excavating. Gunn partnered with Southside Virginia Community College’s workforce department to customize the necessary related technical instruction that complements the on-the-job training. Demonstrating his commitment to the program’s success, Gunn even became certified as an instructor through the college, enabling him to personally teach his apprentices.
Red Oak Excavating’s heavy equipment operator program takes approximately two to three years to complete.
To start, they enrolled three of their existing employees who were looking to gain more skills and advance within the company. One of those is Preston Agalzoff, a Foreman who has worked with Red Oak Excavating since coming out of the Marine Corps eight years ago. As an apprentice, Agalzoff is receiving more formalized training, including classroom work and in-the-field practice with different types of equipment.
“I wanted to get more knowledge and certifications and training,” he said. “I’m trying to gain more advanced knowledge in the trade.”
In the future, Gunn says they plan to bring on more apprentices from outside the company as well.
“We hope to use the apprenticeship program to add to our employment ranks,” he said. “It’s definitely going to help get young people in the construction industry.”
Preston Agalzoff
ExTRA: Expert Support for Southern Virginia Employers
ExTRA is part of IALR’s broader efforts to expand work-based learning across the region, including internships and shorter, more intensive programs. The initiative gives employers valuable tools to start or grow Registered Apprenticeship programs.
Benefits of Registered Apprenticeship for Employers
- Customization to meet employer needs
- Improvement of skilled talent pipeline
- Employee retention
- Grant funding or tax credit opportunities
- Demonstration of investment in your community
- No cost for program registration
ExTRA Supports Southern Virginia Businesses
Through ExTRA, IALR provides the following types of support to employers across the 15 localities in GO Virginia Region 3:
- IALR handles the complexities of program development and registration with Virginia Works and assists with program maintenance at no cost, saving companies valuable time and resources.
- The program specializes in apprenticeship programs and has connections with education providers, workforce development agencies and other resources that can benefit employers and apprentices.
- IALR leverages a robust network of partners to connect employers with a broader pool of qualified candidates. This outreach increases companies’ chances of finding the right fit for apprenticeship opportunities.
- ExTRA helps employers navigate the program expansion process efficiently, ensuring apprenticeship programs keep pace with business growth.
- IALR offers grant funding to support employer-related technical instruction costs up to $2,700 annually per apprentice.
IALR’s ExTRA program has supported the creation of seven total programs from six employers this fiscal year, registering 31 apprentices so far.
Get Involved
Companies interested in starting or expanding apprenticeship programs can contact Neal at Natori.Neal@ialr.org or (434) 766-6657. ExTRA’s expert assistance and funding can strengthen workforce strategies and improve Southern Virginia’s economic landscape.
About the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville.
