The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program hosted a completion ceremony on Friday, September 15, at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of the 50 students in the program’s seventh cohort.
“We are thrilled to continue to facilitate the ATDM program, which prepares promising men and women for high-quality, meaningful career opportunities with companies in the defense industrial base that support the nation’s military. Days like today, where we can celebrate these students’ hard work and future career trajectory, are a great reminder of the incredible impact this program is making.” — IALR President Telly Tucker
ATDM is a 16-week, hands-on program that trains adult learners in the skills needed to work in the submarine and defense industrial base – the system of companies that produces parts and equipment for the U.S. military. This program directly contributes to the defense of the United States by expanding the pool of skilled workers in five tracks – welding, CNC machining, additive manufacturing, non-destructive testing and quality control inspection (metrology) – needed to develop submarines and other military equipment.
This cohort included a diverse pool of adult learners, including 10 active-duty military personnel who completed the additive manufacturing program, a father-daughter duo who graduated from the non-destructive testing program together, and a pair of cousins who pursued their dream of welding together. Students came from 13 different states.
A veteran of the United States Navy, Ulises Velasquez shared during Friday’s ceremony that he found the ATDM program through a social media post during a time when he was weighing his options and was unsure of what he wanted to pursue next. He applied almost immediately and, now that he has completed the program, will be welding in Texas.
“This opportunity has enabled me to not only make a smooth transition into civilian life but also continue serving my country.” — Ulises Velasquez, Welding Graduate
By 2025, it is estimated 800-1,000 students will graduate annually. A new facility is currently under construction on IALR’s campus that will support the estimated 800 – 1,000 students that will graduate annually by 2025. Each of the five tracks will be offered across three shifts when the training center is completed within the next 24 months.
About IALR
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation through 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. For more information, visit www.ialr.org.
About ATDM
Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing is a prototype training platform for rapidly training skilled workers in key trades such as CNC machining and welding for employment in the defense industry. ATDM was developed as a public-private consortium between the DoD, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), Danville Community College (DCC), Phillips Corporation, and The Spectrum Group in consultation with the defense industry. IALR is leading a multi-year pilot project to test and evaluate ATDM as a training platform for regional training centers supporting the defense industrial base. The pilot project is funded through the National Imperative for Industrial Skills initiative which was launched in 2020 by the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program Office (IBAS) in the office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
