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ATDM & AM CoE Summit Bolsters Defense Manufacturing Workforce and Partnerships

ATDM & AM CoE Summit Bolsters Defense Manufacturing Workforce and Partnerships

Leaders from across the defense and manufacturing sectors came together in Danville, Virginia, for the fourth annual joint summit hosted by the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program and the U.S. Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE). Held at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), this year’s event, themed All Hands on Deck, focused on addressing workforce and manufacturing shortfalls in Navy shipbuilding and repair.

2025 ATDM & AM CoE Summit

One of the summit highlights was a keynote address from Admiral James Kilby, USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, who spoke to the deep investment the Navy is making in workforce development and innovation as the pillars of our maritime strength.

“This Summit extends far beyond a two-day gathering—it’s strengthening America’s maritime industrial foundation,” said Matthew Sermon, direct reporting program manager for the Maritime Industrial Base. “With over 450 participants sharing insights and solutions, the ATDM Maritime Training Center is creating a pipeline of skilled workers, while the Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence is revolutionizing how we produce critical components, reducing production timelines from years or months to weeks or days. Both are gamechangers….and together, these complementary initiatives address both the human talent and technological capabilities needed to build and sustain the fleet our nation requires.”

The summit highlighted the growth and momentum of the ATDM program. Earlier this year, the new 100,000-square-foot ATDM Maritime Training Center opened at the IALR campus, expanding the program’s capacity to train more students in its 16-week accelerated program. The ATDM Maritime Training Center provides the space needed for the program to graduate up to 1,000 students per year to meet industry demand, a target it is on track to achieve.

“At IALR, we’re pioneering new accelerated training methods while building the future workforce for defense and maritime manufacturing,” said Telly Tucker, president of IALR. “The new ATDM Maritime Training Center is a vital step in growing the talent pipeline, and by hosting the Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence on our campus, we’re integrating emerging technologies directly into the hands-on training process. This model ensures our graduates are equipped to meet challenges in shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing.”

Alongside workforce training, the co-located AM CoE continues to push the boundaries of additive manufacturing for Navy applications. The center is actively reducing production timelines for complex parts and exploring how advanced processes can support both new builds and fleet sustainment. The AM CoE is also providing connective tissue for ATDM students as they gain experience in additive manufacturing.

Throughout the summit, attendees heard from defense contractors, technical experts and government officials about the real-world impact of programs like ATDM and AM CoE. Representatives from major shipbuilders and supply chain companies discussed how the ability to hire ATDM graduates has shortened ramp-up times and helped meet production schedules.

The summit wrapped up with a clear sense of shared purpose and momentum. By combining accelerated training with cutting-edge innovation, ATDM and AM CoE are shaping a model for how public-private collaboration can secure the future of U.S. maritime power.

About ATDM

Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) was created to teach the skills needed to increase military equipment production in the United States. The program is located at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville, Virginia. Students at ATDM are trained in the skills needed to repair, upfit and build submarines, and these skills are transferable to other defense industry companies. Students earn the skills needed to secure great-paying, in-demand defense industry jobs in these skilled trades: additive manufacturing, CNC machining, non-destructive testing, quality control inspection (also known as metrology) and welding.

Visit the ATDM Website 

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 within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. 

 

98 Students Complete ATDM

98 Students Complete ATDM

The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program celebrated its 15th and largest graduating cohort with a ceremony held at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) on March 14. The event honored 98 graduates who completed four months of intensive manufacturing training on the IALR campus in Additive Manufacturing, CNC Machining, Non-destructive Testing and Welding.

ATDM Completion Ceremony - March 2025

The ceremony featured a keynote address by Captain James P. “JIP” Mosman, Commander of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and student remarks by Jonathan Rada, who completed the Additive Manufacturing program.

“The Maritime Industrial Base is the foundation of both our national security and global supply chain… Whether you are ensuring the structural integrity of a vessel, contributing to cutting edge innovation or supporting mission critical operations, you are playing a role in something much larger than yourself. You are joining a workforce in a legacy of service, resilience and innovation.” – Captain James P. “JIP” Mosman, Commander of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard

“I’ve learned invaluable skills, made lifelong friends and found a sense of a sense of purpose that has eluded me for years. It’s never too late to reinvent yourself, take risks, and when opportunity knocks, show up.” – Jonathan Rada, Additive Manufacturing Graduate, incoming CNC Machinist with General Dynamics 

The ATDM program equips adult learners with critical skills and credentials to succeed in careers within the maritime industrial base (MIB), which produces and maintains essential parts and equipment for ships and submarines. ATDM participants receive full scholarships covering tuition and housing.

The curriculum is guided by direct input from industry partners, ensuring graduates meet the immediate workforce needs of defense manufacturers. Throughout their training, students complete 600 hours of hands-on instruction and earn multiple industry-recognized credentials. Many participants secure employment offers even before graduation.

Participants in the ATDM program come from across the United States, representing diverse backgrounds including veterans transitioning from military service, professionals changing industries and individuals new to manufacturing. With the Navy’s National Training Center that opened earlier in 2025, the program is set to train between 800 and 1,000 students annually.

Graduates of the 15th ATDM Cohort:

Additive Manufacturing: Vincent Corbo, Joshua Davis, Talbert Dunn, Aaron Garcia, David Goree, Jim-Nicholas James, Michael McFadden, Lisa Parrotta, Alexander Peabody, Jonathan Rada, Sean Verrando

CNC Machining (1st Shift): Natasha Barnes, David Heil, Kevin Holodak, William Perry, Caleb Polasik, Rodrigo Van Rooy, James Wilson, Kamry Wilson

CNC Machining (2nd Shift): Nahid Bakhtari, Isaiah Booker, GianCarlo De La Paz, Majeed Ebrahimi, Chrday Fields, Julian Litlv, Daniel Pearce, Darcy Souza, Desmond Steele, Dustin Tatro, Xavier Thomas, Mace Tyrsdottir, Christopher Tucker

CNC Machining (3rd Shift): Carlos Bueno, William Cadwalader, Roberto Corona-Rodriguez, Claudio Gutierrez, Joshua Hjelle, Abuobaida Elamin, Padraic Noonan, Ryan Sanders, John Soltis, James Tyson

Non-destructive Testing: Edward Bakshis, Nathaniel Brown, Dustin Byrum, Zachery Carmean, DeAndre DeScott, Aquiles Guedes Rapassi, Nicole Hillstrom, Shawn Kizzee, Brandon Lay, Julian Littman-van Hoek, Trinidad Magdaleno, Kalief Manuel, Herbert McClain, Owen McNeill, Jessica Roy, Nicholas Sacharko, Zachary Snyder, Anna Stone, Mathew Walter, Aaron Watt

Welding (1st Shift): Ian Barba, Nicholas Barron, Jennifer Baumgartner, Thomas Cluchey, Michael Jenrich, Spencer Long, Anthony Mazzucca, Corey McWhorter, Anna Mikulec, Brandon Robinson

Welding (2nd Shift): Shonteniece Brown, Faith Chandler, Bethany Fairchild, Aiden Ferrell, Candace Green, Gracen Haught, J Nicholas Leppo, Peyton Phillips, Shaboo Reid, Santiago Rizo Lomeli, Ian Tamez, Rolando Velasco, Devin Walker

Welding (3rd Shift): Valdemarr Davis, Clayton Dierks, Emanuel Flores, Isaiah Forbes, Angel Gomez, Clay Hopper, Damien Jamison, James Kelly, Marquise Parker, Tyreek Robb, Britton Shover, Josue Sinico Velazquez, Carlos Walker

About ATDM

Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing was developed as a public-private consortium between the Department of Defense, IALR, Danville Community College (DCC), Phillips Corporation, and The SPECTRUM Group in consultation with the defense industry. IALR leads the multi-year pilot project funded by the National Imperative for Industrial Skills initiative of the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program Office in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

ATDM Website 

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.

IALR Website 

Inside IALR Podcast: From Trainees to Trainers: The ATDM Additive Journey

Inside IALR Podcast: From Trainees to Trainers: The ATDM Additive Journey

This episode features Daniel Hyler and Tim Holland—two graduates turned additive manufacturing instructors with the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program. Hear them discuss lessons they picked up along the way, plus real-world applications of additive manufacturing in today’s job market.

Listen in as they discuss:

  • Jumping from Student to Instructor: How they found their calling in the classroom.
  • The ‘Light Bulb’ Moment: Why watching a student finally “get it” is so rewarding.
  • Industry Readiness: Helping companies embrace the possibilities of 3D printing.
  • Career Pathways: Creating your own opportunities in an evolving field.

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

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LISTEN ON IALR’S SITE

Forging the Future: Training Center Opens to Train Next Generation of Defense Manufacturers

Forging the Future: Training Center Opens to Train Next Generation of Defense Manufacturers

DANVILLE, Va. — The U.S. Navy strengthened its efforts to revitalize the nation’s shipbuilding capability with the opening of a new training center in Danville, Virginia.

The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program, launched in 2021, has graduated more than 777 students from 45 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Australia. About 25% of participants are veterans, and the program boasts a 90% job placement rate within the defense industrial base. New cohorts begin every eight weeks, offering a fast track to meaningful careers across five trades.

The new ATDM Maritime Training Center, a state-of-the-art, 100,000-square-foot facility on the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) campus, opened its doors on January 13. On that day, the center welcomed its first cohort of students, marking the beginning of an expanded operation that will train 1,000 students annually, creating a pipeline of skilled workers critical for building and maintaining the nation’s submarines and warships.

“This facility helps address our immediate workforce needs,” said Frederick “Jay” Stefany, the Direct Reporting Program Manager for the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program. “It advances our efforts to restore our industrial base and ensure our industry partners have the skilled workforce they need to build and maintain the Navy’s fleet.”

ATDM’s graduates are essential in addressing the maritime industry’s expanding workforce needs. The Navy’s shipbuilding plans include the construction of Columbia-class and Virginia-class submarines, along with more than 10 different classes of surface ships, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, amphibious warships, and support vessels. This unprecedented scale of shipbuilding requires a comprehensive strategy to rebuild America’s manufacturing capabilities. The establishment of the ATDM Maritime Training Center marks a significant milestone in this endeavor.

A National Imperative

The MIB Program leads the Navy’s workforce development initiatives while advancing shipbuilding and repair capabilities through industrial base development, supply chain resilience, and advanced manufacturing technologies. With the U.S. manufacturing base having shrunk to a third of its size from 30 years ago, the program must overcome major challenges. One of these pressing challenges involves recruiting and training 140,000 new workers over the next decade for submarine production and sustainment, with an additional 110,000 workers needed for surface vessel construction and maintenance.

“The decline in American manufacturing has created a critical skills gap,” said Erica Logan, Workforce Director for the MIB Program. “But we’re not just filling jobs—we’re rebuilding America’s maritime manufacturing capability and offering meaningful careers for the next generation of workers. Every graduate represents another step toward restoring our nation’s industrial strength.”

This workforce development initiative is vital for both new construction and fleet maintenance, underscoring the strategic importance of programs like ATDM in maintaining America’s naval readiness. This national revitalization effort takes shape through individual success stories and community partnerships.

The IALR campus, which hosts the ATDM Maritime Training Center, also houses another key MIB Program initiative: the Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence. This co-location creates a hub for maritime manufacturing innovation.

Transforming Lives, Strengthening Communities

Natasha Barnes, part of the inaugural class that began training January 13 in the new facility, represents a growing wave of skilled workers entering the defense manufacturing workforce.

“ATDM has done an excellent job adapting during the transition into the new facility,” said Barnes, a CNC student. “It’s been an uplifting experience to learn in such a clean and well-maintained environment. I am very excited to see what the future holds for the program.”

For Telly Tucker, president of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), the program’s impact goes beyond the classroom.

“This facility is about more than training—it’s about revitalizing southern Virginia,” Tucker said. “It’s creating jobs, fostering economic growth, and building a pipeline of skilled workers who will strengthen our nation’s security.”

To deliver on this promise of regional revitalization and support to national security, the ATDM Maritime Training Center provides intensive, hands-on preparation.

Hands-On Training for Real-World Impact

ATDM’s intensive, 16-week accelerated training program provides students with 600 hours of hands-on experience in one of five trades critical to maritime manufacturing: welding, CNC machining, additive manufacturing, quality assurance, and non-destructive testing. Training runs on three shifts, mirroring the 24/7 operations of the defense industry.

“This program isn’t theoretical—it’s practical,” said Christa Reed, ATDM’s Interim Vice-President. “When our students graduate, they’re not just trained—they’re ready to hit the ground running.”

The curriculum, developed in collaboration with industry leaders, ensures students are equipped with the skills and certifications needed to meet the Navy’s rigorous standards. By simulating real-world manufacturing environments, the program prepares graduates to succeed in high-demand roles. This focused training approach directly enhances America’s maritime security.

A Shared Mission

The opening of the ATDM Maritime Training Center represents a milestone in the Navy’s efforts to address workforce challenges and bolster the maritime industrial base. For Stefany, it’s a reminder of how these efforts impact national security.

“Every ship we build, every submarine we launch, is a promise to the American people,” Stefany said. “That promise begins here, with the people we train.”

As the Navy ramps up its fleet expansion, programs like ATDM and the new ATDM Maritime Training Center are creating a ripple effect—transforming communities, empowering individuals, and ensuring America’s maritime superiority. The center highlights innovation, collaboration, and resilience, its impact extending beyond Danville to strengthen America’s maritime future.

Visit the ATDM Website 

Inside the Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence

Inside the Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence

Nobody likes delays.

The stakes are even higher when a mission depends on getting the right parts at the right time. For the U.S. Navy, a delayed part can stall a mission and force a vessel to remain tied to the pier instead of patrolling the seas.

This is where the U.S. Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) steps in. Housed within the Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) on the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) campus, this collaborative project reduces delays and increases part availability and production capabilities. Involving eight partners, including Austal USA and IALR, the AM CoE helps develop digital technical data packages, or “manufacturing recipes,” that activate suppliers in the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB).

This shift enables quicker turnaround times and provides the U.S. Navy with options that did not exist a few years ago. Rather than waiting on months-long casting or forging lead times, which are susceptible to a high level of quality-related issues, the Navy can distribute these recipes to qualified suppliers, speeding up production and ensuring higher quality and accuracy on each part produced. 

“The AM CoE is the nexus of additive integration.” – Aaron Wiest, Additive Manufacturing Program Manager, MIB Program

An Ambitious Goal

As part of the MIB Program, the AM CoE project supports the Navy’s ambitious goal of producing one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines annually. Achieving this build rate while simultaneously maintaining the existing fleet and supporting the recent AUKUS agreement is challenging because it requires a dependable supply of thousands of parts, both for the suppliers and at the shipyards themselves.

Many of those parts are traditionally produced using castings and forgings, which result in significant constraints on where and how many can be made.

By shifting to digital “recipes” for additive manufacturing, the AM CoE provides a more flexible path that reduces cost, time and reliance on limited foundries. These technical data packages guide approved suppliers, ensuring consistency across the supply chain. Instead of waiting on a single foundry, multiple vendors can print identical parts from the same digital file.

“When you move to a digital paradigm, you have a digital casting mold or an additive data file that allows you to use a 3D printer and manufacture the shape that you need, which will then later go through value-added processing. The CoE gets to be the repository of those files for any of the companies that wish to join in that collaborative network and support the U.S. Navy.” – Aaron Wiest, Additive Manufacturing Program Manager, MIB Program

IALR’s Center for Manufacturing Advancement supports the AM CoE’s work by providing a high-performance environment for this manufacturing optimization. Its ISO-certified CNC Machining Innovation Lab refines subtractive processes for additively produced parts, and the Precision Metrology Lab’s advanced inspection capabilities ensure quality. Both labs also serve other clients seeking process improvements. Emerging technology is tested, proven and implemented within this ecosystem for immediate impact.

AM CoE Partners

The Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence includes many partners, several of which have staff stationed on the IALR Campus full-time. 

  • Austal USA Advanced Technologies: enterprise team lead overseeing program management and technical execution
  • Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM):  lead for digital thread and digitally enhanced qualification
  • FasTech, LLC: provides parameter and post-process development, DED & PBF, CNC and enterprise beta testing
  • IALR: provides post-processing services in the CoE. This includes CNC machining, saw cutting and processing of test samples
  • Industrial Inspection & Analysis, Inc.® (IIA):  provides in-house qualification and testing
  • Mitutoyo: provides coordinate measuring machining (CMM) services
  • Phillips Corporation: serves as principal for the additive manufacturing processes, part selection process and part digitization
  • The SPECTRUM Group: provides strategic oversight and guidance for the AM CoE

Rapid Results When Needed

Though the AM CoE focuses on developing processes, it has swiftly produced parts to meet urgent demands. Three recent examples exemplify its ability to deliver results:

Employees of the Phillips Corporation work on a large 3D printer inside the U.S. Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence on the IALR campus.

Case One: Reducing Delivery Time

A small bracket helps a destroyer’s hangar door sensor function properly. It functions like a garage door sensor–ensuring nothing is under the door before it closes.

Due to limited supply chains, a malfunctioning helo hangar door bracket on a U.S. Destroyer threatened to delay its mission for months.

Over the 2023 holiday season, the AM CoE printed, machined, inspected and delivered the bracket in under three weeks. A few months later, another request came for the same part, and the turnaround dropped to just 13 days.

“Two different destroyers went out and were able to maintain their mission because of the CoE.” – Jesse Geisbert, Advanced Manufacturing Director, MIB Program

The bracket is now a procurable item, meaning future suppliers can produce it on demand.

Case Two: Addressing Quality Challenges

The interior liner for a submarine’s trash disposal is certainly not glamorous and may seem insignificant, but it is integral to submarine operations. During underwater missions, submarines compact waste and securely store it in sealed metal containers, which are then safely released into the ocean.

Six of these large trash disposal liners units were delivered to a shipbuilder producing a submarine in 2024, and all six were defective and could not be used.

“It’s a very hard to cast alloy, somewhat complex part, and they didn’t have a path forward, which meant stalled submarine construction for one piece,” Wiest said. 

In just nine days, the AM CoE modeled and printed a first article of manufacture. In contrast, a cast part would have taken months to deliver. This solution is expected to restore momentum and prevent submarine construction from grinding to a halt.

Case Three: Providing Sustainment Solutions for Parts that No Longer Exist

Aging ships and submarines like the USS Michigan also rely on critical parts, many of which are no longer produced by traditional methods. The Michigan is a 42-year-old submarine, and its trim and drain valves, especially the tailpiece, regularly corrode due to operational conditions.

The AM CoE printed the tailpiece using both laser powder bed fusion and wire arc methods, creating multiple additive manufacturing data files. This dual approach provides flexibility, ensures future availability and supports other classes of submarines that use similar components. Instead of uncertain wait times for casting or forging, the Navy now has proven digital recipes to quickly produce these vital parts when the next repair cycle comes around.

“In one place now, we’ve created two different AM data files that can be distributed,” Geisbert said. “The Ohio class will be around still for quite a considerable amount of time, and now we have a better way to produce these trim and drain valves when they need to be replaced.” 

A One-Stop Shop

How to best print the part is only one part of the digital recipes provided by the AM CoE. The AM CoE also provides instructions on post-printing machining, metrology and measurement techniques and heat treatment.

“The CoE project has end-to-end capabilities. The team provides data on how to take an additive part through all the various steps, like machining and heat treatment, to make it a finalized, finished component. We learn things at each one of those stages that we can implement into a more well-rounded and complete end-to-end strategy.” – Jason Wells, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing Advancement, IALR

In addition to what’s happening in the AM CoE, skilled workers are trained at the adjacent Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program. This program prepares workers for the Maritime Industrial Base, ensuring a talent pipeline ready to operate cutting-edge equipment. A spinoff of ATDM that is also located on the IALR campus, the Naval Aviation School for Additive Manufacturing (NASAM) program trains active-duty Navy personnel to use additive manufacturing equipment and techniques on ships and submarines.

Manufacturing machines lined up in the Additive Manufacturing Innovation Lab.

“The AM CoE is a one-stop shop for industry to come learn about additive, get qualified, understand the Navy requirements.” – Jesse Geisbert, Advanced Manufacturing Director, MIB Program

Activating the Industrial Base

The AM CoE is a unique public-private partnership where industry, academia and government work together toward a common goal. This collaborative approach maximizes resources, knowledge sharing and innovation. Instead of operating in separate silos, partners pool their expertise and align their efforts, ultimately strengthening the entire industrial base.

“We have an era of unprecedented collaboration,” Wiest said. “It is amazing to see companies willing to jump in, willing to share some of their IP actually to help the industrial base grow.” 

This kind of cooperation ensures that if one supplier faces delays, another can step in, preventing bottlenecks. Over time, the public-private partnership model builds resilience, scalability and trust across the network of suppliers and shipbuilders supporting the U.S. Navy.

“The AM CoE is that connective tissue for the OEMs and the shipbuilders and the industrial base at large.” – Jesse Geisbert, Advanced Manufacturing Director, MIB Program

Making an Impact

The three success stories highlight how critical this work has become. A hangar door bracket was delivered in under three weeks, a trash disposal unit liner was produced in days rather than months, and a valve component for an aging submarine was quickly developed.

However, the goal of producing these digital recipes is to have even more success stories where approved suppliers utilize an existing recipe to produce needed parts on demand.

Each success means more time at sea, more deterrent strength and more efficient use of national resources. The Navy’s ambitious goals, the expansion of additive manufacturing and the AM CoE’s model all point to a future with fewer delays and heightened readiness.

“The AM CoE is a model,” Geisbert said. “Nothing is stopping us from creating something like the CoE, operated by public-private partnerships and intended for production outside every shipyard.”

The CMA’s mission to help manufacturers integrate technology and optimize processes extends beyond the Navy. It reflects a broader push for more innovative, faster and resilient manufacturing across various industries.

IALR, a Proven Partner: 2024 Annual Report Highlights

IALR, a Proven Partner: 2024 Annual Report Highlights

“I love that IALR moves at the speed of business. Things happen here fast.” – Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is proud to announce the release of its Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024, covering the period from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. This year was defined by strategic collaboration that drove collective innovation, growth and success across Southern Virginia.

Read the Full Report 

“At IALR, our success is not achieved in isolation but through meaningful collaborations across sectors.” – Telly Tucker, IALR President

Below are some of our valued partners:

  • Commonwealth of Virginia
  • U.S. Navy and U.S. Department of Defense
  • Economic and workforce development organizations
  • Local governments and school divisions across Virginia
  • Community colleges, universities and higher education institutions
  • Local and global businesses and companies
  • AmeriCorps and other service agencies
  • Civic groups and nonprofits
  • Private foundations and funding partners

Here are the key highlights that showcase how our work and partnerships are making a difference.

Career Readiness Starts Early

One of the most significant achievements last year was the expansion of the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) program. Through a network of partnerships involving public schools, higher education and industry leaders, over 6,000 Virginia students received hands-on career introductions. GO TEC continues to inspire students and build dependable talent pipelines for strategic sectors, ensuring our youth are prepared for tomorrow’s careers.

GO TEC curriculum will be taught in 52 middle schools across the Commonwealth of Virginia during the 2024-2025 academic year.

“GO TEC is awesome because it allows students to explore careers and equipment that they would not have access to otherwise.” – Amy Maloskey, GO TEC Teacher, Rural Retreat Middle School, Wythe County

Learn More in the 2024 Annual Report 

Expanding Work-Based Learning Opportunities

The Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeship (ExTRA) program saw remarkable progress, supporting the creation of apprenticeship programs across nontraditional sectors. This year marked the launch of Virginia’s first Registered Apprenticeship programs for EMTs and paramedics. The program’s success demonstrates the importance of partnerships between employers, training providers and community organizations to meet our region’s workforce needs.

In partnership with IALR, the Danville Life Saving Crew – the primary Emergency Medical Services provider for the City of Danville – signed 13 individuals as Virginia’s first Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) registered apprentices during an October ceremony.

ExTRA Impact in Numbers:

  • 50 new apprentices hired.
  • 12 new Registered Apprenticeship programs created.
  • Virginia’s first EMT and paramedic Registered Apprenticeship launched.

IALR was also selected to lead the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) Region 3 Regional Work-Based Learning Collaborative. This initiative develops opportunities for employers and students to connect through work-based learning – and prepares both students and employers for those opportunities.

See Our Collaborative Work in the 2024 Annual Report 

Manufacturing Training Programs

The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program continues to grow in partnership with the U.S. Navy, rapidly training talent for the defense industry. Approximately 328 students graduated across four cohorts in the 2024 fiscal year. 

By 2025, the ATDM program aims to graduate 800 to 1,000 students annually, solidifying the region’s status as a hub for advanced manufacturing training.

“ATDM’s ability to refine and scale to meet our urgent workforce needs is crucial to building America’s submarine fleet. Together, we’re not just training workers, we’re securing America’s maritime future.” – Erica Logan, Maritime Industrial Base Director for Workforce Development

Additionally, the Integrated Machining Technology (IMT) program, a legacy initiative of IALR and Danville Community College (DCC), remains a cornerstone of our manufacturing training efforts.

See Our Successful Partnerships in the 2024 Annual Report 

Advancing Economic Development in Southern Virginia

In collaboration with local governments, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, our Economic Development team contributed to significant economic progress in the region. Over $212 million in new capital investments and the creation of 253 new jobs were key outcomes this year, providing a solid foundation for future economic growth. IALR also hosted essential events such as the 2023 Southern Virginia Regional Housing Summit and the 2024 Workforce Solutions Summit to support long-term development.

“The efforts of the SVRA and the many regional partners should be considered best practices for other communities and regions to follow.” – Edward D. Ober, Grant Management Associates

Discover More Impact in the Annual Report

Advancing Additive Manufacturing

Through a series of strategic initiatives, IALR is advancing additive manufacturing (AM) technology, equipping end users with the skills needed to leverage these capabilities, and driving the growth of additive manufacturing across Southern Virginia. Much of this work is in partnership with the U.S. Navy through the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).

Initiatives in Additive Manufacturing:

By combining training, technology development and partnerships, IALR is making significant strides in establishing Southern Virginia as a leading hub for additive manufacturing.

See More in the 2024 Annual Report 

Collaborative Optimization for Manufacturers

As Virginia’s hub for high-performance manufacturing optimization and advancement, the Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) equips manufacturers to be globally competitive. The CMA at IALR is the destination for innovative manufacturers ready to optimize their operations and scale. With state-of-the-art facilities and technology—including a CNC Machining Innovation Lab, Industry 4.0 Integration Lab and Precision Metrology Lab – the CMA is helping clients and partners optimize operations and scale.

See the Complete Annual Report 

Breakthroughs in Applied Research

IALR’s Applied Research division offers various services in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), analytical chemistry, biotechnology and life sciences. These include conducting contract research, providing chemistry testing services and supporting biotechnology development—all aimed at meeting the needs of industry partners and advancing the scientific community.

“IALR has provided Canon the environment and expertise to grow plants under various stress conditions in an effort to understand how these stresses present themselves in the plants. IALR is unique in this capability.” – Benjamin Welch, Principal Engineer, Canon

View the Full Annual Report

Conference Center Growth

Equipped with state-of-the-art and flexible facilities, the IALR Conference Center experienced impressive growth, hosting over 30,000 guests last year. This increase is a testament to its role as a vital space for collaboration across business, education and community sectors.

“The IALR Conference Center offers a turnkey experience and state-of-the-art technology to deliver a high level of professionalism and engagement. Their staff are accommodating, easy to work with and attentive to the details.” – Stephanie Mann, Center for Early Success

View the Full Annual Report

STEM, Service and Lifelong Learning

IALR’s Advanced Learning team collaborates with numerous partners to increase STEM capacity, promote lifelong learning, and provide regional service-learning opportunities. These initiatives contribute to a better Southern Virginia where all can thrive.

“IALR is an exceptional and long-standing partner to Serve Virginia. The services they provide through their AmeriCorps program, Dan River Year, are impactful and make a real difference in the communities they serve.” – Samantha Lukasiewicz, AmeriCorps Manager

View the Full Annual Report

Growing Campus to Meet Regional Needs

FY 2024 was notable for the growth of IALR’s campus and support services. The number of team members nearly doubled to meet increasing demands, reflecting the strength of the partnerships and the impact IALR has cultivated in Southern Virginia. With new facilities like the Navy’s National Training Center opening in early 2025, IALR is poised to continue driving regional growth and innovation.

“The near doubling of our team and the expansion of our campus highlight the incredible momentum we’ve gained through strategic internal and external collaboration. With new facilities like the Navy’s National Training Center on the horizon, IALR’s IT, Facilities and other support services ensure seamless operations for efficient growth and regional success for years to come.” – John H. Hughes, IV, Ed.D, Executive Vice President, Operations, IALR

View the Full Annual Report

A political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia, IALR is governed by a Board of Trustees. 

“As we review another year of strong financial performance, it’s clear that our partnerships and strategic initiatives deliver real value to the region. Our board remains dedicated to guiding IALR toward continued success, ensuring that every dollar invested helps drive meaningful economic transformation in Southern Virginia.” – Donald W. Merricks, Chairman, IALR Board of Trustees

13th ATDM Cohort Graduates

13th ATDM Cohort Graduates

Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) celebrated the achievements of 93 students who graduated as part of the program’s 13th cohort during a ceremony on October 25 at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). This is the largest graduating cohort to date. This program prepares adult learners for manufacturing careers that directly support the defense industrial base (DIB) and submarine industrial base (SIB).

ATDM Completion Ceremony 10.25.24

Captain Jason Deichler, Commodore of Commander, Submarine Squadron Two, served as the keynote speaker for the completion ceremony. 

“These graduates will be ready to contribute to their employers on day one,” he said.

The ATDM program is an intensive, 16-week training initiative designed to equip adult learners with the skills needed to work in the SIB and DIB. This system of companies produces crucial parts and equipment for the U.S. military.

ATDM aims to expand 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. The program includes 600 hours of hands-on training and produces graduates with industry-recognized credentials.

Welding student Mychal Carter of Massachusetts, the student speaker for the ceremony, shared the story of how he found the ATDM program on social media and is now graduating with 10 welding certificates and a career lined up. 

Mychal Carter, Student Speaker at the completion ceremony for the 13th cohort of the ATDM program.

“I have no fear of the unknown, but I have a thirst for knowledge, and that’s what ATDM gave me,” he said. 

This cohort included students from CNC machining, additive manufacturing, welding and non-destructive testing. Training was conducted across multiple shifts, accommodating a variety of schedules to make this vital training accessible to adult learners.

This cohort brings the total number of ATDM graduates to 708 since the program launched in 2021.

Looking ahead, approximately 800-1,000 students are projected to graduate annually from the ATDM program starting in 2025. The Navy’s National Training Center, located on IALR’s campus, is currently under construction and is slated for completion in 2025. Once operational, each of the five training tracks will be available across three shifts, further boosting the number of skilled workers available for critical defense industry needs.

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 within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. IALR houses and leads the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program with the support of various partners.

IALR Website 

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 Department of Defense, 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 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.

ATDM Website 

IALR Leading New Additive Manufacturing School for Navy Sailors and Marines

IALR Leading New Additive Manufacturing School for Navy Sailors and Marines

Supply chain gaps and delays mean that a critical part failure can cause long delays and reduce the operational readiness of our nation’s critical warfighting weapon system.

For example, a mission-critical part breaks on an aircraft carrier full of personnel after it leaves the pier and is on deployment. If that part is not spared aboard the aircraft carrier, it could take months to get that replacement part delivered to the ship.

Additive manufacturing—or industrial 3D printing—is a growing solution to expensive and potentially compromising distribution bottlenecks. It allows the military to address supply chain issues and, in many cases, allows maintenance personnel to print critically needed parts on-demand, on-site.

“Even in peacetime, there are a lot of situations where supplies and parts just aren’t available. There’s a genuine need to be able to reverse engineer or redesign parts to be able to return that aircraft and/or weapon system to an operational status.” – CAPT Alexander Peabody, senior fleet liaison officer, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Additive Manufacturing Team

CAPT Alexander Peabody, senior fleet liaison officer, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Additive Manufacturing Team, participates in an open house celebration of the new NASAM program housed at and instructed by IALR.

The Naval Aviation School for Additive Manufacturing (NASAM)—a six-week program that provides active-duty Navy and Marine Corps maintenance personnel with foundational skills in additive manufacturing—launched with a pilot cohort of 12 students in February 2024. This program provides instruction for the deployed additive manufacturing technologies and prepares the users to utilize and maximize those capabilities. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) hosts and instructs the NASAM program. 

“IALR is proud to continue to provide technology-driven workforce development programs by partnering with NAVAIR to deliver a high-quality curriculum in support of their additive manufacturing capabilities. Being able to train the end users in our fast-paced technology development environment and quickly adjust the curriculum to capitalize on industry feedback is the unique value of what is happening at IALR.” – Telly Tucker, president, IALR

Featured above is the second cohort of the six-week NASAM program, which provides active-duty Navy personnel with foundational additive manufacturing skills.

A “Center of Gravity” for the Growth of Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing, also called industrial 3D printing, is a subset of manufacturing where an object is built “from the ground up” based on a 3D model. The more traditional approach, subtractive manufacturing is the inverse, where a block is whittled down into whatever shape or design is needed. This allows for the unmatched design and manufacturing versatility needed to produce functional components at the pace and intricacy needed to remain globally competitive.

After starting as a niche technology primarily used for prototyping, additive manufacturing has emerged as a cost-effective, efficient option across industries. Advancements in materials science, software development and hardware engineering have allowed for expanding material options beyond plastics to include metals, ceramics and even biomaterials, propelling additive manufacturing into the mainstream.

“Additive manufacturing is ‘NOW,’ and it’s where we need to be.” – James Hubbard, director of training and technology, IALR Manufacturing Advancement

James Hubbard, director of training and technology for IALR’s Manufacturing Advancement division, speaks about IALR’s work in technology and workforce development in additive manufacturing at a recent open house event celebrating the launch of the NASAM program.

This growth is happening across sectors ranging from aerospace and healthcare to automotive. The Department of Defense is also investing in additive manufacturing technologies to better protect our country.

For the U.S. Navy, much of that activity is centered at the IALR campus. These initiatives align with IALR’s goals to serve as a center of excellence for workforce development, to serve as a hub for high-tech companies and to support employers so they can be globally competitive.

Through several distinct but connected initiatives in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, IALR’s Manufacturing Advancement division is helping mature additive manufacturing technology and preparing the end users to utilize those capabilities. NASAM is the newest component of that multi-pronged approach.

“We are becoming an additive manufacturing center of gravity.” 

IALR Additive Manufacturing Programs in Partnership with the U.S. Navy
  • Training Active-Duty Military: NAVAIR’s Naval Aviation School for Additive Manufacturing (NASAM) trains active-duty military on additive manufacturing using two tiers of AM technologies (tier 1 being desktop polymers and tier 2 being industrial polymers) deployed in support of Naval Aviation at its Fleet Readiness Centers and Marine Corps Aviation Logistics Squadrons. 
  • Training Skilled Industrial Workers: Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) provides adult learners foundational additive manufacturing skills in just four months to immediately support the skills gaps in the submarine industrial base. The program has four other tracks: CNC machining, welding, quality control inspection (metrology) and non-destructive testing. 
  • Developing Additive Manufacturing Technologies and Processes: The NAVSEA’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE), which is housed inside the Center for Manufacturing Advancement, develops world-leading additive manufacturing technical data packages, or “manufacturing recipes,” for the development of parts needed by the United States military. 

“We are becoming an additive manufacturing center of gravity. We are partnering with the U.S. Navy’s NAVSEA and NAVAIR Commands to implement and train these technologies in many ways. Through different initiatives, we are preparing sailors and Marines to use additive technologies, training the additive workforce for Navy suppliers, and helping the Navy to develop additive technologies and processes that supplier companies can utilize.” – James Hubbard, director of training and technology, IALR Manufacturing Advancement 

The NASAM Experience and Takeaways

“We are giving the fleet maintainers the proficiency to match the equipment we provide them with.” 

That’s how CAPT Alexander Peabody explains the NASAM program. This fast-paced pilot program is a six-week course that provides 240 hours of hands-on instruction using different polymer 3D printing technologies.

In those six weeks, NASAM prepares learners to work with the designated equipment. Students learn about equipment operation, reverse engineering and measurement fundamentals, computer-aided design (CAD), material evaluation, Naval additive manufacturing policies, procedures and more.

“This course will give them a limited ability to maintain their own production capabilities for their units. We are creating the advanced military workforce of tomorrow.” – CAPT Alexander Peabody, senior fleet liaison, NAVAIR Additive Manufacturing Team

Students in the first cohort included:

  • Aviation Marines and sailors
  • An instructor from the U.S. Naval Academy
  • A member of the U.S. Coast Guard
  • Members of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)
  • Ground-side Marines

One of the participants in this first cohort was a fabrication platoon commander with the U.S. Marine Corps based in Camp Pendleton in California. With 16 years of experience and current duties that involve overseeing welding, machining and additive work from his team, Gunnery Sgt. Mark Cureo participated to learn more about how the Navy is approaching additive technologies and processes.

U.S. Marines Gunnery Sgt. Mark Cureo (left) was one of the participants in the first cohort of the NASAM program housed at and instructed by IALR.

“This collaborative effort aims to showcase the activities of various forces and align strategies. Courses of this nature contribute to establishing a standardized approach for additive manufacturing within the Department of Defense.” – Gunnery Sgt. Mark Cureo, U.S. Marine Corps

On the other end of the spectrum, AM3 Skyler Berry is an aviation structural mechanic working aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. The carrier he supports was recently outfitted with a Tier 1 system, but Berry was the first to receive training on that specific machine.

“The instruction is great, and I’m feeling more confident than I thought I would,” Berry said.

U.S. Navy AM3 Skyler Berry was one of the participants in the first cohort of the NASAM program housed at and instructed by IALR.

The third cohort of this NAVAIR program is set to begin in late May. 

A Successful Model for Additive Manufacturing Training

NAVAIR’s NASAM program is the newest manufacturing training program housed at IALR. It’s a direct offshoot of the ATDM model: short, accelerated, fast-paced and personalized instruction. With five different tracks, ATDM prepares adult learners for needed positions across the defense and submarine industrial bases—the system of supplier companies for the military.

“All of this is falling on the success and unique training model of ATDM. One-on-one time with the equipment and one-on-one time with the instructors make training in Danville successful and unique. Those are two of the things that put us on the map.” – James Hubbard, director of technology and training, IALR Manufacturing Advancement

The idea to utilize this model for a Naval additive manufacturing school came during the 2022 ATDM Summit when CAPT Alexander Peabody and other Naval leaders heard a presentation about the ATDM curriculum and model.

“We identified early on that we need sufficient operators in the field to maximize what these machines can do. We need skilled, proficient technicians. So, we imagined a more formal school for our sailors and marines to go to get a more intense, hands-on training experience, and the accelerated model from ATDM was a perfect fit,” CAPT Peabody said.

They immediately began conversations with IALR staff on how that model could be tweaked to create a standalone course for additive manufacturing. Several active-duty personnel from NAVAIR went through the traditional additive manufacturing track of ATDM while this spinoff program was designed.

Another connection point: the program’s instructor, Daniel Hyler, is a successful completer of two separate tracks of the ATDM program. Fresh out of high school, Hyler secured one of the last spots in the first cohort for Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining. FasTech, an additive manufacturing company on the IALR campus, hired him out of the program and later sent him back as part of the first additive manufacturing cohort. After another eight months with FasTech, Hyler joined ATDM as a technician for the additive manufacturing class – a position he held for about a year before becoming the instructor for NASAM.

“Daniel brought an ideal skillset to the table based on his experiences as an ATDM graduate in both CNC Machining and Additive Manufacturing, time working at FasTech and his success serving as an ATDM Additive Manufacturing Technician training adult learners.” – James Hubbard, director of training and technology, IALR Manufacturing Advancement

Daniel Hyler, left, completed two separate tracks of the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program, and now serves as the instructor for the Naval Aviation School for Additive Manufacturing.

“My education and career are so intertwined with IALR, ATDM and ultimately the Navy. It is humbling and inspiring to know that I am now contributing to our nation’s defense by helping active-duty Navy personnel become proficient and efficient with these 3D industrial printing machines.” – Daniel Hyler, NASAM instructor, IALR

 

Jason Wells Joins IALR as Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Advancement

Jason Wells Joins IALR as Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Advancement

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is pleased to announce that Jason Wells will join the leadership team as Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Advancement, effective June 3. Wells most recently served as President of Kyocera SGS Tech Hub, a manufacturing and research hub within the cutting tool division of Kyocera Corporation, and brings nearly 30 years of experience in high-performance manufacturing. He will provide executive-level strategic management and oversight of IALR’s growing Manufacturing Advancement division and will report directly to IALR President Telly D. Tucker.

“As the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research continues to expand into a leading hub for high-value, high-tech companies and growing, targeted industries like advanced manufacturing, placing globally minded and accomplished leadership at the helm is critical. I am excited to welcome Jason Wells to IALR and have full confidence that his comprehensive industry expertise and proven commitment to the community will position us well to serve the manufacturing optimization, technology and workforce training needs of advanced manufacturers.” – Telly Tucker, IALR President 

One of Wells’ key charges will be to oversee the operation and strategic direction of the Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA), which offers manufacturing optimization expertise in CNC machining, metrology services and Industry 4.0; all of which help manufacturers introduce new and emerging technology into their operations. The CMA is also home to the United States Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence.

Wells will also have responsibility for the oversight of additional training programs including the collaborative and innovative Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program, a federal initiative of the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense to meet the critical workforce needs for skilled trades like welding, CNC machining, quality control inspection (metrology), non-destructive testing and additive manufacturing. The program, housed and led by IALR, will achieve full capacity in 2025, graduating 800 to 1,000 work-ready individuals annually.

Prior to his leadership role at Kyocera SGS Tech Hub, Wells amassed significant management and advanced manufacturing experience in an array of roles with leading companies. Some of his more recent posts include Director of U.S. Tech Center Operations at YG-1 America Inc., a global manufacturer of high-quality cutting tools, and Global Product Manager and Director of Product Development and Marketing for SGS Tool Company. Wells acted as primary inventor on six product patents recognized in several countries, and he established two U.S.-based divisions and manufacturing units for two different internationally headquartered manufacturing companies. Wells has authored a number of articles in leading trade periodicals and was selected as one of the 100 people to meet in Virginia in 2020 by Virginia Business magazine. He has also been a featured speaker and panel member at multiple lectures at industry-based events and symposiums.

“As a business leader with a unique connection to Southern Virginia and IALR, I am deeply honored to assume the role of Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Advancement, and I sincerely thank all of my outstanding mentors, colleagues and partners for their support throughout my career. My journey of the past eight years, engaging with the community, the schools and IALR has filled me with profound appreciation for the task ahead. I am motivated and inspired by the vision and mission set forth, to nurture the next generation of industrial talent, implement the evolution of technology, fuel the renaissance of the region, and support our nation’s defenses. I embrace this opportunity wholeheartedly, committed to contributing to a brighter future for all.” – Jason Wells, IALR Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Advancement 

A degreed Journeyman Tool Maker and Tool Application Engineer, Wells holds various industry-recognized certifications. He has also served on a variety of local, state and international boards and councils, including the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) advisory board, the industry technology advisory council for Danville Community College as well as the boards of the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and the United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County.

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. 

About IALR 

Tour of IALR – Manufacturing Advancement

Tour of IALR – Manufacturing Advancement

Join us for a free guided group tour of the manufacturing workforce development programs and industry solutions on the campus of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). Discover our impact and explore our innovative training facilities and cutting-edge optimization and support services. Our Manufacturing Advancement division focuses on meeting and exceeding the optimization and workforce needs of new and existing industry.

This one-hour tour will include a brief overview of IALR before a deep dive into the focus areas of our Manufacturing Advancement division. Participants will see:

  • The Center for Manufacturing Advancement, which allows advanced manufacturing companies to collaborate and enhance processes, improve quality, and more.
  • Several labs from the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program, which quickly trains qualified candidates in essential manufacturing skills and trades that will help the United States Navy build submarines.
  • The Naval Aviation School for Additive Manufacturing (NASAM), a new, six-week program that provides active-duty Navy sailors and marines with foundational skills in additive manufacturing
  • The Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining, which houses both CNC Teacher Training for high school and community college instructors and the Integrated Machining Technology program – a third-year program that takes advanced machining skills training and knowledge to the next level.

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81 Students Celebrate Completion of ATDM Program

81 Students Celebrate Completion of ATDM Program

Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) celebrated the accomplishments of 81 students who graduated as part of the program’s ninth and largest cohort during a ceremony on Friday, Feb. 2, at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).

A 16-week, hands-on program, ATDM prepares 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. ATDM includes 600 hours of instruction and produces skilled talent with industry-recognized credentials. This program expands 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.

During the ceremony, welding student Nicholas Ortega shared a brief testimonial about the impact that the ATDM program has made on his life.

“Everyday my welding skills improved, and I began to realize my potential. ATDM gave me a foundation. As I move forward, I will always have ATDM with me.” – Nicholas Ortega, Welding Student, ATDM

Tom Kearney, a retired Rear Admiral with the U.S. Navy and a member of the SPECTRUM Group, shared a keynote address highlighting how the parts that these graduates will go on to weld, print, machine, measure and test will be critical components of submarines.

“Submarines turn everything you learned at ATDM into reality. You’re not just making parts that can work under normal conditions. All of these parts need to function at greater than 800 feet under the ocean. Some of the parts you will be making have to function for 30 or more years under significant stress loads.” – Tom Kearney, the SPECTRUM Group

This cohort brings the total number of ATDM graduates to 413 since the program launched in 2021.

ATDM Completion Ceremony 2/2/2024

Approximately 800-1,000 students will graduate from the ATDM program annually starting in 2025. The Navy’s national training center, which is housed on IALR’s campus, is under construction and slated for completion in 2025. Each of the five tracks will be offered across three shifts when the training center is completed.

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. 

About IALR

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, 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.

About ATDM

U.S. Navy breaks ground on new Regional Training Center (RTC) at IALR Campus

U.S. Navy breaks ground on new Regional Training Center (RTC) at IALR Campus

The new center will accommodate full-scale growth of the defense manufacturing training program, providing a pipeline of 800-1,000 skilled workers per year for high-demand jobs.  

The United States Navy broke ground on a new regional training center for the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program in Danville today. The new 100,000-square-foot training facility, located on the campus of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), will allow more students to enroll in accelerated four-month training programs to help them reskill or upskill for high-paying jobs. Estimated to open by 2025, the Regional Training Center expects to graduate 800-1,000 students per year to fill critical vacancies across the defense industrial base.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held during the annual ATDM & U.S. Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) Summit, which gathered the Navy, Office of the Secretary of Defense, state and local officials, and industry partners to increase awareness of these important initiatives and promote participation and contributions by industry and other stakeholders. This year, ATDM instructors and students were joined by Secretary of the U.S. Navy Carlos Del Toro and Rear Admiral Scott W. Pappano to celebrate the success of the past year and discuss goals going forward.

“The incredible progress made over the past year here in Danville, both in building the next generation of submarine builders at ATDM and in advancing the manufacturing technology we need to succeed at AM CoE, proved that we are on the right path. This past year established the foundation for the critical leaps forward we need in the coming years to scale both programs to ensure we have the skilled workforce with the technology and capabilities needed to build the Navy’s next generation of submarines.” — Rear Adm. Pappano, program executive officer, Strategic Submarines, U.S. Navy

“The groundbreaking of the Regional Training Center is a key milestone in scaling ATDM by providing a dedicated training facility with the infrastructure and equipment necessary to reach our full capacity of training potential,” said Dr. Debra Holley, director of the ATDM program.

Darrell Dalton, Chair of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, remarked that the construction of the Regional Training Center is a “win for our local economy, as it will bring up to 1,000 students a year to Danville and Pittsylvania County, and all of whom will live, work, and play here. By building its training facility in Danville, the Navy has provided a capital investment that further shows the growing prominence of this region in manufacturing and related industry sectors.”

ATDM Summit 2023

“We are especially fortunate that the Navy has recognized the forethought of our local leaders who have worked over the years to create educational programs that emphasize the type of knowledge and skills needed for this program,” Dalton continued.

In partnership with the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program Office (IBAS) in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and the Navy’s Program Executive Office (PEO) Strategic Submarines, ATDM trains workers in critical manufacturing skills to establish a steady and sustainable flow of workers into the SIB/DIB to fill critical skills gaps and labor shortages. The AM CoE directly supports the growth of our nation’s industrial base by using additive manufacturing for the production of submarine components to bolster naval shipbuilding and repair supply chains.

America’s defense industrial base (DIB) is still greatly in need of workers who can build and repair naval ships. The lack of workforce and manufacturing shortfalls in this area impact the material readiness of the current naval fleet; major maintenance and overhaul availability; and new construction. The construction of the “1 COLUMBIA + 2 VIRGINIA” naval ships beginning in FY26 will further stress the Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) and increase the need for qualified talent in the workforce. The AM CoE, which formally opened at last year’s summit, directly supports growth of our nation’s industrial base by scaling and maturing additive manufacturing technologies in the SIB. The technologies enable innovative production of submarine components to bolster naval shipbuilding and repair supply chains. As a result, the AM CoE will increase overall manufacturing capacity and close the supply-demand gap in critical marketspaces like castings, forgings, fittings, and fasteners.

Secretary of the U.S. Navy Carlos Del Toro (right) and Rear Admiral Scott W. Pappano (left) sign a steel beam that will be part of the new ATDM Regional Training Center.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) has also been selected by the U.S. Navy Program Executive Office, Strategic Submarines (PEO SSBN) as the designated memorial location for the Ex-USS Buffalo (SSN 715) sail and the Ex-USS Providence (SSN 719) rudder to preserve and commemorate the history of these submarines and honor the service of their crews. This memorial demonstrates the strong partnership between the Navy and Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM).

“Today marks a new chapter in the exciting growth of the ATDM program and further exemplifies the educational, workforce, and technological innovation that is taking place in Virginia. The investments made here are vital to the economic progress of the entire commonwealth,” said Telly Tucker, president of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, which leads the multi-year ATDM pilot project. IALR’s Center for Manufacturing Advancement is also home to the Navy’s AM CoE.

“The ATDM program marks a bold step forward,” said Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler. “This initiative stands at the forefront of addressing the challenges facing our defense industrial base and, by extension, our nation’s security.”

The sail was part of the Ex-USS Buffalo (SSN 715), a decommissioned United States Navy LOS ANGELES Class nuclear-powered attack submarine. USS Buffalo (SSN 715) was commissioned in November 1983, and decommissioned in January 2019. During that time, she saw most of her service in the Pacific area of operation.

The rudder hails from Ex-USS Providence (SSN 719), also a decommissioned United States Navy LOS ANGELES Class nuclear-powered attack submarine. Ex-USS Providence (SSN 719) was commissioned in July 1985. In August 2021, USS Providence was transferred from Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., to Kitsap Naval Base in Bremerton, Wash., for decommissioning after 37 years of service.

To learn more about the new regional training center, or ATDM program classes and cohorts, please visit www.atdm.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.

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.

Students from Diverse Backgrounds Benefitting from Accelerated Training Program

Students from Diverse Backgrounds Benefitting from Accelerated Training Program

A Danville woman in her 40s who grew up on a tobacco farm and spent most of her career in behavioral health. A former Navy Corpsman father and his 22-year-old daughter from California. Two active-duty Marines stationed out of San Diego and a Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer who spent most of his first 12 years of service at sea.  

These are just a few of the students enrolled in the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program’s sixth cohort. This growing prototype program housed at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville provides the skills and certifications for adult learners to immediately enter the submarine and defense industrial base – the system of companies that produces parts and equipment for the U.S. military.  

The program brings a diverse group of students to Danville to develop the skills needed for a quality career bolstering our country’s defense. Students have come from 26 states, range from age 17 to 50s, and bring a wide range of previous career experience. Boasting an 86% graduation rate, the program takes these learners and prepares them for meaningful careers. Approximately 75% of graduates so far have gone on to work directly in the defense and submarine industrial base.  

ATDM prepares adult learners for manufacturing careers that support the United States military.  Students from dozens of states with various career backgrounds are completing the accelerated, four-month training.   The program currently offers five tracks: welding, non–destructive testing (NDT), quality control inspection (metrology), additive manufacturing and CNC machining.   By 2025, 800-1,000 students will graduate annually. Each of the five tracks will be offered across three shifts. 

“We’ve had a retired schoolteacher, a chef who worked at one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants, active-duty military, veterans and a host of other backgrounds and career experiences. We see everything from companies sending their employees here for upskilling to people with no experience whatsoever in manufacturing and everyone in between. What they all have in common is a willingness to learn in a rigorous environment.”  – ATDM Director Dr. Debra Holley

Non-destructive Testing: A Family Affair 

Greg Williams is a Navy Veteran who spent 13 years in active duty, concluding his service as an Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman. After moving with his family from California to Durham, N.C., in 2022, Williams was interested in a new career path.  

“I spent the first half of my life focusing on medicine. To do a shift into something mechanical and something on the manufacturing side, I thought it would be a good challenge,” Williams said. 

A January 2023 email from the Wounded Warrior project included some information about the ATDM program. The program immediately caught Williams’ eye, and he reached out to ATDM staff within a few days.  

But he was not just interested in the program for himself. More than 2,600 miles away in Pullman, Wash., Williams’ daughter Lilly Concepcion, 22, was living on her own for the first time, working as a barista.  

“I was trying to scrape together enough money as I possibly could to survive on my own, and it just wasn’t cutting it,” Concepcion said. “When my dad told me about ATDM, I was definitely very intrigued to think that maybe I could start a career path that would take me further.”   

Today, the pair have completed more than a third of the non-destructive testing track in the ATDM program, often studying and spending time together outside of class. With housing in Danville’s River District provided to students as part of the program, Williams’ wife and two sons are also here while he completes the program.  

Greg Williams and his daughter Lilly Concepcion are participating in the non-destructive testing cohort of the ATDM program.

“It has been exciting to be able to learn a new process together. This is something neither of us had any experience in,” Williams said.  

Non-destructive testing is an analysis technique that evaluates the properties of a material for characteristic differences or welding defects and discontinuities, all without causing damage.  

Having already met with several companies and actively working with ATDM student support staff on her resume, Concepcion is confident that she will have a job opportunity lined up by the time she graduates in September.  

“I would love to work on submarines in some way. At the end of this I just want to help out where I can in the industry.”  – Lilly Concepcion, ATDM Non-Destructive Testing Student

“It’s definitely an exciting time to try to figure out where do we want to go next,” Williams said, noting that he is exploring different options and is not bound to any one location. “It’s not a matter of can I find a job, it’s going to be what’s most conducive for what I want.”  

Looking for a New Career 

Dana Lunsford has a long resume highlighted by stints in law enforcement before spending the bulk of the 2010s and early 2020s working in the Behavioral Health field focusing on the seriously mentally ill population as a Clinical Manager and Supervisor in Southern Virginia. 

“As far as behavioral health is concerned, you name it, I pretty much did it here in Southern Virginia,” said Lunsford, who grew up on a local tobacco farm.  

After a taxing, travel-filled year working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Lunsford began working with FedEx as a temporary stop while exploring next steps. With her children grown and exploring their adult lives, Lunsford was looking for a major career shift and was open to whatever that looked like.  

“You are never too old to learn something new. I feel learning new things and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone and taking on a challenge is very important for self-development and career growth.” – Dana Lunsford, Welding Student in ATDM Program

An internet search about programs in welding – a trade she had always been interested in learning more about– led her to ATDM, which immediately caught her attention.  

After a long career in behavioral health, Danville native Dana Lunsford enrolled in the welding track of the ATDM program. “We’ll see where it takes me.”

Now several weeks into the welding track of ATDM, Lunsford is fascinated with the different welding types and applications she is learning. The program trains students like Lunsford to American Welding Society standards in 10 nationally recognized certifications.  

Like Concepcion and Williams, Lunsford is already engaging with industry and working on her resume and is not bound to any one location.  

“There are a lot of excellent career prospects out there,” she said. “We’ll see where it takes me.”  

Upskilling the Military  

Marine Corporal Ahgden Haversack and Sergeant Lionel Moss were hand selected by their seniors to participate in the Additive Manufacturing cohort of the ATDM program. Haversack had completed a U.S. Marine Corps additive manufacturing course and had done some 3D printing for aircraft while Moss had worked as a machinist for rotary aircraft parts. Both received some formal training but were still learning a lot on the job.  

Today they are two of the 11 active-duty military participants in the additive manufacturing cohort of ATDM. While ATDM primarily develops the civilian workforce needed to produce equipment and parts, military personnel also benefit from having formal training.  

Marine Corporal Ahgden Haversack (right) described the ATDM program as invaluable. “I can produce a better product and give the military a better product.”

Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Zlocki, a Coast Guard electrician, is going to manage the operations of an additive manufacturing facility in New Orleans after completion of the ATDM program.

Marine Sergeant Lionel Moss, stationed in San Diego, is one of 11 active-duty military participants in the Additive Manufacturing track of the ATDM program.

“Invaluable” is how Haversack describes the rapid, hands-on learning and instruction ATDM provides. He says that this course is helping him to kick bad habits he may have developed and is providing him the foundational knowledge needed to improve and expand the way he manages operations in San Diego.  

“I have all this knowledge that I didn’t have before,” he said. “The parts that I made that I thought were perfect before I got here might not be perfect now because I have a higher standard. I can produce a better product and give the military a better product.”   

Having Marines like Haversack and Moss be able to create more parts themselves will save the military time and money.  

“We’re hitting this thing at both ends now,” Moss said. “Any time there’s a problem, it’s either we can 3D print it or we can machine it out of metal and get that bird back in the air.”   

Haversack and Moss are the most experienced students in the cohort, which allows them to rebuild and expand their knowledge while also helping others in the class. One of the students they have worked with is Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Zlocki, a Coast Guard electrician who spent most of his career wiring ships and other infrastructure. Upon his completion of the program, Zlocki will be standing up an additive manufacturing facility for the Coast Guard in New Orleans.  

“When I go back, I can more effectively use the training I’m getting here to train others and manufacture parts,” Zlocki said.  

ATDM Instructor and Technician Hiring Fair

ATDM Instructor and Technician Hiring Fair

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is actively seeking talented instructors and lab technicians for its Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program and will be hosting a Hiring Fair on Monday, May 15. The nationally recognized training program is on track to produce 800-1,000 qualified candidates to fill critical vacancies in the defense industrial base by 2025. ATDM serves as a national defense imperative supporting the submarine industrial base through workforce development.

Those interested can register online and book a 60-minute appointment from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to interview and tour program facilities. ATDM is hiring experienced professionals in the fields of welding, additive manufacturing, CNC machining, quality control inspection (metrology), and non-destructive testing. Some positions start immediately; others will begin this Fall. 

Book a 60-Minute Appointment 

Browse Available Positions 

Instructors and technicians wanted for innovative defense manufacturing program

Instructors and technicians wanted for innovative defense manufacturing program

ATDM job fair offers opportunities to train its next cohort of students.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is actively seeking talented instructors and lab technicians for its Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program and will be hosting a Hiring Fair on Monday, May 15. The nationally recognized training program is on track to produce 800-1,000 qualified candidates to fill critical vacancies in the defense industrial base by 2025. ATDM serves as a national defense imperative supporting the submarine industrial base through workforce development.

Those interested can register online and book a 60-minute appointment from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to interview and tour program facilities. ATDM is hiring experienced professionals in the fields of welding, additive manufacturing, CNC machining, quality control inspection (metrology), and non-destructive testing. Some positions start immediately; others will begin this Fall. 

ATDM’s 16-week, hands-on curriculum rapidly develops skilled workers with industry-recognized credentials for employment in the defense industry. The campus of IALR provides state-of-the-art training labs to accommodate America’s scaling needs for defense manufacturing talent. 

Job Fair Details

ATDM Classes

Two people look at a quality inspection machine

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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 Department of Defense, 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.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Allison H. Moore, Director, PR & Communications            

Institute for Advanced Learning and Research                                                    

allison.moore@ialr.org | 434.766.6766                 

57 Students Graduate from Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing Program

57 Students Graduate from Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing Program

A group of 50+ ATDM graduates pose for a picture at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

The 5th cohort of students graduated from the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing Program on May 2.

Local leaders and U.S. Navy representatives gathered to celebrate the 5th cohort of graduates entering the workforce pipeline for the Department of Defense.

The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program hosted a completion ceremony on Tuesday, May 2, at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of the 57 students in its January cohort, the 5th cohort in the program’s history.

This 16-week, hands-on curriculum rapidly develops skilled workers with industry-recognized credentials for employment in the defense industry. Such skills include welding, CNC machining, additive manufacturing, quality control inspection (metrology) and, for the first time with this graduating class, non-destructive testing. Graduates of the cohort represent 14 states and earned a collective 304 nationally recognized credentials.

“It is extremely gratifying to see another cohort of students graduating from ATDM with the skills needed to meet the high demand of our submarine industrial base,” said Rear Admiral Scott Pappano, Program Executive Officer, Strategic Submarines, United States Navy. “It is important to realize that we are rebuilding manufacturing and the industrial base, which is vital to our national security. The Navy thanks you for what you are doing.”

Event Photo Gallery

Since ATDM instruction first began in 2021, the 5th cohort is the first to complete all training on the campus of IALR, a space upfitted to provide a state-of-the-art bridge training solution. Partner Danville Community College (DCC), which previously co-hosted classes on its campus, will continue to provide premier ATDM training curriculum and instruction. The training partners will then locate the program within a planned new ATDM Regional Training Center, to be constructed on IALR’s campus by 2025. This building will house all training under one roof and accommodate America’s scaling needs for defense manufacturing talent. In addition to program lead IALR, as well as curriculum provider DCC, other partners of the Department of Defense program include technology provider Phillips Corporation and strategic consulting partner The SPECTRUM Group.

“We are thrilled to continue to lead this impactful training program that has improved the lives of so many across our nation thanks to these dedicated partnerships,” said Telly Tucker, President of IALR. “ATDM not only helps provide promising men and women with the skill sets for high-quality employment with leading companies, but it also helps ensure the success of our nation’s armed forces with the equipment they need to safely and effectively protect our nation and allies.”     

“The ATDM program is unique and unlike any training in the nation,” said Dr. Jerry Wallace, President of DCC. “The students are getting an exclusive learning experience and the faculty have the opportunity to be a part of a nationally recognized program helping to improve our country’s defense.”

Vice Admiral Norb Ryan, USN (Ret.) with The SPECTRUM Group expressed his sincere congratulations to all the ATDM graduates as they get ready to launch their careers helping to build our U.S. Navy’s newest submarines.

“To the entire Danville ATDM Team, a heartfelt Navy ‘Bravo Zulu’ for your awesome leadership and inspiring instructional skills in helping these superb graduates achieve their potential and contribute to our nation’s national defense,” said Vice Admiral Ryan.

A student wearing an ATDM shirt walks toward the stage at graduation.

Director of Phillips Corporation, Rick Morgan, said the company is extremely pleased with the progress of ATDM’s suite of advanced manufacturing training programs.

“Phillips is very proud of its collaboration overseeing the creation and delivery of additive manufacturing (AM) curriculums in partnership with our technology vendors,” said Morgan. “We believe that ATDM’s AM training program is, and will increasingly be, an essential resource for accelerating the delivery of skilled technicians to U.S. Navy and all other military service branches. Developing training programs focused on the most relevant applications of AM technology will also be a growing essential resource for a U.S. Defense Industrial Base increasingly charged with building robust, dependable, and innovative supply chain options for our military services.”  

Enroll in the ATDM Program

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.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Allison H. Moore, Director, PR & Communications        Faith O’Neil, Director, PR & Marketing

Institute for Advanced Learning and Research                    Danville Community College                       

allison.moore@ialr.org  |  434.766.6766                              faith.oneil@danville.edu  |  434.797.8450

The U.S. Navy Opens Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville

The U.S. Navy Opens Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville

Joint Navy-OSD Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing Program to Benefit from new Multi-Million-Dollar Training Facility

The U.S. Navy is launching its Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) within the State of Virginia’s Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) on the Danville Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) campus. The creation of the AM CoE marks the first project partnership for the CMA. It demonstrates the Navy’s commitment to investing in and delivering the skilled workforce necessary to strengthen and expand the Navy’s industrial base to achieve the Nation’s strategic defense objectives.

A first for the Navy, the AM CoE will provide a platform for training a skilled additive manufacturing workforce through partnership with the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program, a rigorous, focused 24/5 training schedule that graduates student cohorts every four months in multiple disciplines critical to the defense industrial base (DIB). Industrial manufacturing partners include major shipbuilders like General Dynamics Electric Boat, Huntington-Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding, Austal USA as well as key industry experts like Phillips Corporation, Industrial Inspection and Analysis, FasTech, Mitutoyo, and Master Gage & Tool, to bring multiple processes utilized by the DIB under one roof to improve efficiencies and reduce barriers to entry for manufacturers hoping to enter additive manufacturing.

Utilizing three full bays dedicated to accelerating and scaling additive manufacturing parts and qualification processes, the AM CoE’s principal functions will be to:

  • Promote adoption of mature industrial qualification processes and data to earn technical warrant holder approval for additive manufacturing production;
  • Enable scale and speed to address material readiness challenges and critical fragilities in the castings/forgings market space;
  • Pave a path for sustainable and scalable additive manufacturing production capability in the submarine industrial base.

“Building and sustaining the Navy’s defense industrial base workforce has become a national security imperative, and the demonstration of partnership and collaboration that is represented here in Danville, Virginia today is part of the ‘Whole Government, Whole of Industry’ approach that must be in place to ensure the domestic manufacturing capacity that is required to maintain the Navy’s maritime edge, and surge to meet a dynamic threat environment,” said Matt Sermon, Executive Director, PEO Strategic Submarines.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the AM CoE was held during the second annual ATDM Summit where the U.S. Navy, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and additional federal, state and local government officials joined with partners from defense industry and academia to convene topics pertaining to closing skills and workforce gaps within the naval defense industrial base.

During the ceremony, the announcement was also made that the ATDM program, which aims to provide 800-1,000 qualified candidates to fill critical vacancies in the DIB annually by 2024, will expand with the creation of a regional training facility adjacent to the CMA. The multimillion-dollar investment into over 100,000 square feet of dedicated training capability, capacity, and infrastructure will enable ATDM to rapidly scale up to its full potential and add to the economic momentum in Southern Virginia. The Danville and Pittsylvania County Regional Industrial Facility Authority provided land for the initiative.

“The launch of the AM CoE and the announcement of scale-up potential for ATDM go hand-in-hand with IALR’s approach to support the technological and workforce development needs of Industry. We are excited to leverage our new Center for Manufacturing Advancement and work with the Navy and other partners,” said Telly Tucker, President, IALR. “ATDM is one of the strongest examples of what full integration of industry in the training process looks like, by bringing key partners together to be vested in the time-to-talent process and ensuring the unique requirements of shipbuilders and suppliers are achieved quickly to meet the demands of our nation’s defenses.”

“The events we celebrate today – centered on workforce, technology, and the space where those two priorities must meet – are game changing. The scale and urgency needed in these areas is a fundamental differentiator in our Navy’s ability to preserve peace, and when necessary, compete and win,” added RADM Scott Pappano, PEO Strategic Submarines.” 

First ATDM Additive Manufacturing Cohort Graduates

First ATDM Additive Manufacturing Cohort Graduates

Ten students and their instructors celebrated successfully completing the first cohort of the ATDM Additive Manufacturing track during a completion ceremony held at IALR.

The first Additive Manufacturing cohort has graduated from the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program. This new track was added in November 2021 and is an important addition given the growing significance of the new technology in advanced manufacturing.

Students in the Additive Manufacturing track earned several credentials including OSHA 10 and a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. They are waiting on certification results for Certified Additive Manufacturing Fundamentals, which is issued by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and Autodesk Certified Associate in CAD for Mechanical Design, which certifies skilled use of Fusion 360 CAD software.

Daniel Hyler, a Pittsylvania County native, who graduated from Chatham High School in 2021, completed the first CNC Machining track last summer and just completed the first Additive Manufacturing track this month. “It has been very helpful, and a lot more than I thought,” said Hyler. “The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn. I would recommend it. The environment is the best. The teachers work well with you.”

After completing the CNC Machining ATDM track, Hyler started working for FasTech as a CNC Machinist in October. Now, he will use his skills learned in the Additive Manufacturing track to help him in his job where he runs CNC mills and additive manufacturing machines.

“The entire group was really driven,” said James Hubbard, who served as the instructor through Danville Community College, an ATDM instructional partner. “We didn’t know what to expect – several didn’t even know what modeling was – but now they’re modeling assemblies and intricate things of that nature. Their skill sets will allow them to get a job in any modern manufacturing environment.”

Another student Rashida Grear, from Norfolk, Va., who works at Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) and is an active-duty sailor in the U.S. Navy also praised the program. “MARMC is trying to learn more mass production methods of operation,” said Grear. “We do things very manually, but we are getting newer equipment to train sailors on.” Grear stated that her ATDM training will prepare her for her role on a team that will be dedicated to 3D printing which will be extremely beneficial.

In addition to the Additive Manufacturing track graduates, the second cohort from the ATDM Welding, Metrology/Quality Assurance and CNC Machining tracks also graduated in March.

The ATDM program is specifically designed to help adult learners with varying educational and workplace experiences earn the skills necessary to make an immediate impact in the defense industrial base. The four-month curriculum is designed to offer the skills and nationally recognized credentials directly requested by the industry.

IALR Launches New Additive Manufacturing Lab

IALR Launches New Additive Manufacturing Lab

IALR’s new additive manufacturing lab features 12 Markforged 3D printers (six metal and six carbon fiber), a wash station, a sintering oven, a 5-axis Haas CNC machine and an Instron® electromechanical testing system.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) has established a new Additive Manufacturing Lab on IALR’s campus. Additive manufacturing is expected to play a critical role in the future of manufacturing as the industry is starting to regularly evaluate additive processes and their application to integrate into their existing manufacturing capabilities.

“IALR’s new additive manufacturing training capability is evident that this technology is transitioning from the R&D phase to commercialization,” said Executive Director of IALR, Mark Gignac. “As the technology is starting to become part of the everyday manufacturing world, this lab is taking the technology from being experimental to using it on the plant floor. One of the region’s latest start-up companies in the Rapid Launch Facility, FasTech, has recently integrated additive manufacturing into their capabilities. This localized adoption proves that unique and leading-edge activity is taking place in Danville-Pittsylvania County.”

The additive manufacturing lab’s print farm includes six Markforged Metal X™ (Gen 2) 3D printers and six Markforged X7™ carbon fiber 3D printers. The print farm also includes a wash station and a sintering oven. In the lab, a 5-axis Haas CNC machine is used for post-processing additive parts as well as machining test specimens that will be used for mechanical testing and evaluating material properties. To support that activity, an Instron® electromechanical testing system has also been installed to provide the testing required for additive parts.

The 3D printing is extremely beneficial because it allows manufacturers to go from design to complex metal parts faster, easier and at lower costs. Implementing metal 3D printing can greatly improve business efficiency and agility by getting products to market faster, reducing manufacturing costs and replacing inefficient manufacturing workflows, whether through eliminating the need for detail drawings and machine programming, or drastically shortening lead times that bog down product development processes.

Additionally, the new lab will open the door to new opportunities for collaboration with innovative companies such as Phillips Corporation, who has been instrumental in providing guidance and technical support while developing the additive manufacturing training capability. 3D printer manufacturer Markforged is also exploring further collaboration.

DCC instructor James Hubbard (left) and technician Eric Collie (center) help student Marion Jones incorporate hardware into his composite 3D-printed part to increase the life of wear surfaces. Jones is part of the ATDM program taught at the lab.