Skilled Trades

Jobs requiring trade skills are some of the most stable in our region. No matter how the workforce shifts, we need people who are able to plan, construct and fix our surroundings.

Train for Jobs Hiring Now

See some of our current Skilled Trades courses below. These National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) offerings prepare you for construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and heavy equipment careers. To receive financial aid, please get in touch with us directly to register for your course or program through CCWA.

Through programs at CCWA, you can learn from experienced instructors using state-of-the-art simulators and hands-on teaching to train for nationally recognized credentials in this field. We develop all courses in direct response to job availability and demand—for example, the Heavy Equipment Operator program was created to meet the growing employment need for operators.

CCWA’s skilled trade courses are stackable for more credentials. Career paths in skilled trades start with the NCCER CORE class—in which you can earn a credential in as little as 40 hours. Courses require the CORE prerequisite and many have the CORE built into training dates. Check the description and talk with us about the format that best matches your schedule.

Flexible, steady employment opportunities

Train in as little as 2-3 months

Gain in-demand skills

Are You Ready to Spark Your Career With an Apprenticeship?

Our new partnership with the Independent Electrical Contractors Chesapeake (IECC) will offer a fully accredited, Year 1 Electrical Apprenticeship program in our renovated trades labs at the Downtown Campus of Reynolds Community College – leading to journey worker’s electricians license.

Apply Now!

Takeaway Skills

Core craft skills
Orientation to the trades
Safety
Heavy equipment operation
Introduction to tools
Construction math
HVAC operation and repair
Electrical operation
Construction skills
Plumbing
Welding

Current Courses

See some of our current Skilled Trades courses below. To receive financial aid, please get in touch with us directly to register for your course or program through CCWA.

NCCER: Introductory Craft Skills - Leads to Apartment Maintenance

09/10/2024 - 10/24/2024

The NCCER standardized curricula introduces basic skills for obtaining and retaining industrial employment, including an introduction to hand tools, power tools, construction drawings, basic communication skills, basic safety, and basic employability skills.

NCCER: Introductory Craft Skills – Leads to Heavy Equipment Operator (HYBRID)

09/24/2024 - 10/17/2024

This course leads to and is a prerequisite for Heavy Equipment operator 1. The NCCER CORE training course is a prerequisite to all other NCCER Level 1 craft curriculum in construction and industrial occupations such as carpentry, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, welding, drywall, and construction craft laborer. The NCCER Introductory Craft Skills course is a required prerequisite for this course

IECC Apprenticeship level 1

10/21/2024 - 04/01/2025

Join our Fall cohort of the new, fully accredited electrical apprenticeship program in the Greater Richmond region. The Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA) and Independent Electrical Contractors Chesapeake (IECC) will offer this unique career opportunity as a combination of classroom and on-the-job training over a course of four years. Coursework and hands-on instruction will be conducted in newly-renovated labs at the Downtown Campus of Reynolds Community College. This accredited apprenticeship leads to a Journeyworkers License, and many graduates go on to become project managers, foremen, estimators and business owners. Throughout the duration of the program, you will: • Receive industry-leading, hands-on learning in conjunction with traditional classwork • Work full-time and attend classes two nights per week • Receive nationally recognized credentials as a Journeyworker Electrician upon satisfactory completion of the program!

NCCER – Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1

10/22/2024 - 12/11/2024

The Heavy Equipment Operator program was developed to meet the growing employment demands for equipment operators. This class serves as the first level of training in the Heavy Equipment Operator program.

Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician

10/29/2024 - 01/16/2025

The Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician program prepares students for entry-level employment in maintenance in the rental housing industry. It covers interior and exterior maintenance, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and appliance repair – and includes lectures and hands-on labs. NCCER Introductory Craft Skills - Leads to apartment maintenance is a required prerequisite for this course.

Fiber optic installer

01/14/2025 - 02/20/2025

Fiber Optic Installers are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing fiber optic cables and related equipment. Fiber optic installers typically work in various industries such as telecommunications, internet service providers, cable television companies, and data centers. This program will cover basics of fiber and transmission theory, various cables and connectors, splicing, installation, and more. No experience necessary. All materials and exam included.

NCCER: Introductory Craft Skills – Leads to Electrical 1 (Evening course)

02/04/2025 - 03/05/2025

This course leads to and is a prerequisite for electrical 1. The NCCER CORE training course is a prerequisite to all other NCCER Level 1 craft curriculum in construction and industrial occupations such as carpentry, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, welding, drywall, and construction craft laborer.

NCCER HVAC level 2

02/18/2025 - 05/21/2025

This class serves as the second level of training in the HVAC craft. The course has live in classroom/lab training. Students learn the following content: Commercial Airside Systems; Chimneys, Vents, and Flues; Introduction to Hydronic Systems; Air Quality Equipment; Leak Detection, Evacuation, Recovery, and Charging; Alternating Current; Basic Electronics; Introduction to Circuit Troubleshooting; Troubleshooting Gas Heating; Troubleshooting Cooling; Heat Pumps; Basic Installation and Maintenance Practices; Sheet Metal Duct Systems. Students are required to purchase the current HVAC Code book for class.

NCCER Introductory Craft Skills, leads to HVAC 1 (Daytime class)

02/18/2025 - 03/19/2025

This course leads to and is a prerequisite for HVAC 1. The NCCER CORE training course is a prerequisite to all other NCCER Level 1 craft curriculum in construction and industrial occupations such as carpentry, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, welding, drywall, and construction craft laborer.

Introductory Craft Skills - Leads to Electrical 1 (Daytime Class)

02/25/2025 - 04/03/2025

NCCER - Electrical Level 1 (evening class)

03/06/2025 - 05/07/2025

he NCCER Electrical level 1 certification course is part of the required training for many companies’ apprenticeship programs. This course is intended for students interested in entering the Electrician industry and it can help you get a foot-in-the-door to a helper or apprentice position. Instruction will cover topics such as Orientation to the Electrical Trade, Electrical Safety, Electrical Circuits, Electrical Theory, National Electrical Code, Device Boxes, Raceways, Fittings, Conduit, Conductors and Cables, Fasteners and Anchors, Basic Electrical Construction Drawings, Residential Electrical Services, and Electrical Test Equipment.

NCCER HVAC level 1 (Daytime class)

03/20/2025 - 05/20/2025

The NCCER HVAC level 1 certification course is part of the required training for many companies’ apprenticeship programs. This course is intended for students interested in entering the HVAC industry and it can help you get a foot-in-the-door to a helper or apprentice position. The NCCER Introductory Craft Skills course is a required prerequisite for this course

NCCER – Electrical Level 1 (Daytime class)

04/08/2025 - 06/12/2025

The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) is the credentialing body for the NCCER Electrical level 1 certification. The NCCER Electrical leveThe National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) is the credentialing body for the NCCER Electrical level 1 certification. The NCCER Electrical level 1 certification course is part of the required training for many companies’ apprenticeship programs. The NCCER Introductory Craft Skills course is a required prerequisite for this course

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get more funding to participate in the program?: We have FastForward program funding as well as scholarship opportunities from FANTIC, Re-Employ VA and Trades. Contact us directly to find out which apply to you.

Are classes taught in person or online?: Both. Many of our skilled trade classes are hybrid, so you will be required to be in class for some sessions and online with reliable internet for others.

Do you offer job placement?: Job placement is not guaranteed but CCWA has partnerships with many companies in the state and can provide aid in preparing for apprenticeship or job interviews. Our skilled trade students have gone on to careers with James River Air, Tribble Electric, eTEC Mechanical, ColonialWebb, Atlantic Constructors, Woodfin/EMC, ITAC, Rudy Hawkins Electrical and others.

Contact us to learn more about how you can utilize CCWA’s offerings and receive the best available pricing for current courses.

John McGarry
Coordinator, Trades & Construction

Call Send Email