The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) celebrated the graduation of the latest cohort of the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program on June 26, recognizing 94 graduates who completed intensive, hands-on training for careers in the defense manufacturing sector.
This cohort completed four months of training across key trades, including welding, CNC machining, non-destructive testing and metrology, preparing them for immediate employment within the submarine and defense industrial base.
With this graduating class, ATDM has now produced more than 1,500 graduates since launching in 2020, continuing to scale a national pipeline of skilled workers for critical manufacturing roles.
Each graduate completed a rigorous, accelerated training experience designed to build technical skills, discipline and the attention to detail required in high-stakes manufacturing environments that support national defense.
Students in this cohort represent 25 different states, highlighting the program’s national reach. To date, ATDM graduates have come from 47 states and are working in more than 35 states, supporting critical defense manufacturing needs nationwide.
“The United States must increase the production of submarines, ships, aircrafts, advanced systems and critical defense technologies, not because we seek out war, but because history teaches us that strength preserves peace. Preparedness prevents conflict, capability deters aggression, and every one of those capabilities begins with someone willing to build.” – Jason Wells, IALR’s Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Advancement
Supporting National Defense through Workforce Development
The United States faces an urgent workforce challenge: tens of thousands of skilled trades professionals are needed in the coming years to meet production goals for submarines and other naval vessels. Traditional training pipelines cannot scale quickly enough to meet this demand.
ATDM was created to address that need by compressing years of training into a focused, 16-week program that prepares adult learners for immediate employment.
Students train in one of five high-demand tracks: welding, CNC machining, non-destructive testing, additive manufacturing and quality control inspection (metrology). Graduates gain the technical expertise required to perform precision work essential to national defense.
To reduce barriers to entry, the program covers tuition and housing, enabling participants from across the country to pursue new career opportunities in Danville.
A Diverse, High-Performing Cohort
The June 2026 cohort represents a nationwide group of learners from diverse backgrounds, united by a shared goal of launching meaningful, hands-on careers in advanced manufacturing.
Graduates completed training across multiple shifts and disciplines, reflecting the scale and intensity of ATDM’s three-shift training model.
Several students earned bronze, silver and gold star designations recognizing excellence in performance, leadership and community engagement throughout the program.
Student Success Story
The ceremony’s student speaker, Larissa Wright, was born and raised in North Carolina and had previous career experience in customer service, public service, warehousing, manufacturing and insurance. But she wanted more.
While updating her LinkedIn profile, Wright discovered the ATDM program and soon after applied to the metrology track.
“The moment I was handed the keys to my apartment was the moment it became real,” she said. “Standing there, I realized that I had been given an incredible opportunity, one that had the potential to completely change the direction of my life.”
For Wright, the four-month program was academically challenging, but more than that, it was difficult because of the separation from her family. She chose to homeschool two of her children while going through the program and had to miss another child’s high school graduation. It was her children’s encouragement that helped her persevere during the hardest days, she said.
Her time at ATDM introduced her to a new level of measurement, science, precision and attention to detail while also helping her build confidence, resilience and discipline.
“The knowledge and wisdom shared by our instructors have prepared us not only for careers in defense manufacturing, but also for challenges we will face throughout our lives.” – Larissa Wright, ATDM Metrology Graduate
Now that she’s graduated, Wright will be stepping into a quality control inspector role with BWXT in Lynchburg.
Preparing a Mission-Ready Workforce
ATDM continues to play a critical role in strengthening the submarine industrial base by rapidly training skilled workers and connecting them with employers across the country.
The program maintains strong outcomes, with approximately 80% of graduates employed within 60 days of completion. Through direct employer engagement, career fairs and industry-informed curriculum, ATDM ensures graduates are prepared to contribute immediately in mission-critical roles.
“In this field, we do not have the luxury of just good enough. Lives depend on what we do. Industries and communities depend on what we do,” said Jason Wells, Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Advancement at IALR.
ATDM Graduates
- Aidan Childers – NC
- Elise Davis – DE
- Jaylon Davis – VA
- Jayden Falla – IL
- Nicolas Hernandez – TX
- Lilly Hershman – WV
- Natayvia Jenkins – PA
- Malcolm Minter – SC
- Ricardo Paz – HI
- Vannak Phann – OR
- Martin Acevedo – MD
- Daniel Davies Jr. – NC
- Joshua Haley – MA
- Jalyn Nixon – GA
- Mardell Norris – VA
- Madison Robb – VA
- Cameron Stokes – NC
- Torro Teague Jr. – MD
- Trent Vance – NC
- Gloretta Williams – SC
- Huan Bui – NC
- Tyler Burkhead – VA
- Daison Carrodine – MD
- Frank Hernandez Diaz – VA
- Isaiah Huffman – NC
- Asif Khan – NY
- Cristin Lukan – MA
- Keaun McFadden – NY
- Dominic Schneider – MD
- Hayden Vicente-Aguirre – VA
- John Chadwick – AL
- Joshua Cobb – ME
- Garrett Davis – TX
- Nahome Demisse – GA
- Kyle Haskins – MT
- William Hawkins – NY
- Matthew Leaf – ME
- Benjamin Pittman – VA
- Peyton Trammell – GA
- Christopher Webb – OH
- Dustin Anderson – TX
- Izabella Blankenship – FL
- Luke Cardenas – TX
- Morgan Conway-Payne – VA
- Genesis Hernandez – TX
- Charles May – VA
- Salvatore McCarty – WA
- Andrew Pitcher – VA
- Joshua Smith – OH
- Ciara Vazquez – FL
- Joshua Walworth – MI
- Dylan Armendariz – NC
- Isaiah Fox – SC
- Kristopher Gatlin – NC
- Kiyonne Green – PA
- Sherief Hamdy – OH
- Meziane Merzouk – VA
- Tejenara Robinson – CA
- Kevin Thornton – TX
- Russell Bingham – GA
- Ian Brown – NC
- Thomas Brushwood – VA
- Rosalia Choice – SC
- Xavier Dean – TX
- Kevin De La Cruz – NY
- Dejohn Fields – NC
- Seth Hales – LA
- Joel Hall-Patton – MI
- Zachary Kelly – VA
- Aubrey Langlinais – NV
- Miguel Marte – PA
- Anissa Milbourne – SC
- Isabella Nunez – NC
- John Phillips III – GA
- Trevon Robinson – VA
- Jasper Sealey – OK
- Marc Sirockman – VA
- Caleb Sloup – NC
- Ebenezer Afful – OH
- Malachi Baker – NC
- Alexander Crist – NY
- Derek Hodgson – NY
- Elizabeth Law – VA
- Chase Sims – PA
- Larissa Wright – NC
- Aung Bhone Zaw – CA
- Ksenija Aleksejeva – VA
- Wanda Bowie – NC
- Dameion Fowler – NY
- Timothy Jones – NC
- Kaden Lawrence – MD
- Lauren McClellan – AL
- Olise Utukpo – NY
Participants in the ATDM program benefit from comprehensive scholarships covering tuition and furnished housing. This support enables individuals from diverse backgrounds, including transitioning service members, career changers and industry newcomers, to prepare for and find successful manufacturing careers.
With a goal of training 1,000 students annually starting in 2027, ATDM remains a cornerstone initiative in strengthening the U.S. defense manufacturing workforce. With more than 1,500 total graduates to date, ATDM boasts an approximately 80% graduation rate and, for those graduates, an 80% placement rate within two months of completing the program.
APPLY TO ATDM
ATDM is currently accepting applications from motivated individuals ready to launch a career in advanced manufacturing and support the nation’s defense.
About ATDM
The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program provides focused, industry-driven training to equip participants with skills critical for defense manufacturing. This initiative is funded through the National Imperative for Industrial Skills by the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program Office within the Office of the Undersecretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment.
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. The organization houses and leads the ATDM program with the support of various partners.
