IALR November 2025 Newsletter

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is a hub for innovative and effective workforce training.

This talent development focus ranges from a national accelerated training program housed on the IALR campus in partnership with the U.S. Navy to a regional program that helps businesses establish and maintain effective apprenticeship programs.

Now those two programs are collaborating.

The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program has been approved by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (Virginia Works), Division of Registered Apprenticeship, as a private provider of related technical instruction (RTI) for employers in Virginia in five program areas: welding, CNC machining, quality control inspection (metrology), non-destructive testing and additive manufacturing.

“Having ATDM registered as a training provider for apprenticeship programs gives employers more incentive to send conditional hires, upskill incumbent workers and recruit new employees through our program. It is attractive to them to engage with us if we can transfer those hours into their apprenticeship program.” – Karen Hardy, Assistant Director, ATDM Career Services, IALR

This means companies that support the defense industrial base or submarine industrial base in Virginia – as well as Maine and Massachusetts, where ATDM has also been approved as an apprenticeship instruction provider – can hire apprentices and use the ATDM program as their classroom instruction (or RTI). Conversely, they can hire students who complete the program, bringing them into an existing apprenticeship program and crediting the ATDM course as their RTI.

Registered Apprenticeship

The Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeship (ExTRA) program at IALR supports the creation and implementation of apprenticeship programs in Southern Virginia across all sectors, with an initial focus on construction, healthcare, early childhood education, manufacturing and information technology.

Through the ExTRA program, IALR has helped dozens of Southern Virginia businesses establish apprenticeship programs across different industries, including manufacturing.

“These apprenticeship programs are customizable to meet employer needs and align with industry standards. An effective program helps recruit, train and retain a highly skilled workforce for a business and improves the employee experience.” – Natori Neal, Apprenticeship Coordinator II, IALR

Every apprenticeship combines two primary elements: paid on-the-job training and related technical instruction (RTI). These programs’ timelines and lengths vary by industry and company preferences.

Many employers structure the program so that classroom time and on-the-job training are largely happening simultaneously. Another option is to have the employees complete most classroom instruction at the beginning. This front-loading of classroom instruction is how the Danville Life Saving Crew – which launched the first registered EMT apprenticeship program in Virginia with support from IALR – arranged its program.

And this front-loading of instructional time is how ATDM can support manufacturing employers with apprenticeship programs in Virginia. If potential students are within driving distance, ATDM could also support manufacturing employers using the traditional RTI model. The employer could maintain classroom time and on-the-job training simultaneously – with students working first shift and attending class during second or third shift.

Providing Foundational Manufacturing Skills

The largest workforce initiative on the IALR campus is Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM). This training program prepares workers for careers that will contribute to the development of ships and submarines for the U.S. Navy. Approximately 10,000 new workers must enter the defense industrial and submarine industrial bases every year for the next 10 years to meet submarine construction and maintenance needs.

Students can attend independently and, with help from a job placement team, seek a career upon graduation. Companies can also send conditional hires, using the program as an onboarding training opportunity. The ATDM program, which is recognized and approved to provide training for apprenticeship programs in Virginia, is helpful for students following either of these tracks.

“ATDM provides entry-level, foundational skills. Graduates will still need a training pathway when they are hired. For employers with an existing apprenticeship program, this is a great way to get qualified workers started and into the company.” – Karen Hardy, Assistant Director, ATDM Career Services, IALR

ATDM staff are working with employers to expand apprenticeship training opportunities on a state-by-state basis. The goal is for ATDM to eventually be approved as an education provider for apprenticeship programs on the national level.

“ATDM and Registered Apprenticeship are a perfect match. We look forward to supporting employers with apprenticeship programs in Virginia, and we are optimistic that in the future we will be able to provide instruction for relevant apprenticeship programs all around the country.” – Dr. Debra Holley, Director, ATDM Project Development, IALR

Companies interested in sending conditional hires through ATDM or hiring program graduates should contact Karen Hardy, Assistant Director, ATDM Career Services.

Southern Virginia employers who want to learn more about the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship should contact Natori Neal, the apprenticeship coordinator at IALR.