The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is pleased to announce a two-year extension of the Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeship (ExTRA) program, made possible by the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC). The extension allows IALR to continue delivering high-impact apprenticeship services to employers across the 15 localities in GO Virginia Region 3 through 2027.
Since its launch in September 2022, ExTRA has helped register 127 apprentices across 36 distinct occupations, including Virginia’s first EMT and Paramedic apprenticeships. The program has also established the ExTRA Consortium website, which connects employers and job seekers to apprenticeship opportunities.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission for their continued investment in the ExTRA program,” said Jessie Vernon, Director of Employer Engagement and Experiential Learning at IALR. “This extension ensures we can keep building strong apprenticeship pathways for Southern Virginia’s workforce—supporting employers, empowering individuals and sustaining the momentum we’ve created.”
Through the extended grant period, ExTRA will continue to support existing employer partners at various stages of the apprenticeship journey, from initial exploration to program and apprentice registration. The program will also engage new companies interested in leveraging Registered Apprenticeship as a workforce solution.
Employers participating in ExTRA benefit from a comprehensive suite of services, including:
- Stakeholder education on the value and structure of Registered Apprenticeship
- Technical assistance to develop and register programs and apprentices with the State Apprenticeship Agency
- Grant funding to offset Related Technical Instruction costs—up to $2,700 annually per apprentice
- Connections to talent and other employers through the regional consortium
Apprenticeship programs continue to grow across various sectors in Southern Virginia, including construction, healthcare, IT, manufacturing and public safety. The ExTRA program plays a vital role in helping employers build sustainable talent pipelines while offering individuals a pathway to high-quality careers.
“Registered Apprenticeship works because employers believe in people,” said Natori Neal, Apprenticeship Coordinator II at IALR. “Their commitment to developing talent is what fuels opportunity and drives regional growth. Thanks to TRRC’s continued investment, we’re able to scale our efforts—empowering more businesses to develop apprenticeship programs, which in turn opens doors for individuals to gain access to high-quality career pathways.”
IALR’s leadership in apprenticeship has earned statewide and national recognition, including the 2024 Virginia Works Outstanding Apprenticeship Intermediary Award and designation as a U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Ambassador.
About IALR
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 on Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg and the cities of Martinsville and Danville.
