NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Virginia Peninsula Community College is close to opening its new Newport News Trades Center. The college held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday morning.
The 16,000-square-foot facility, located at 520 21st Street, is set to open this spring. The center is expected to train more than 400 students annually for careers in maritime trades and residential construction. Programs will include welding, marine electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and facilities maintenance.
College officials say the center aims to meet regional workforce demands tied to shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing. The $9 million project was funded through partnerships with the city, industry leaders, and the Maritime Industrial Base…