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.

Skilled-Trades
Skill Trades icon

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.

Employment Opportunities

Flexible, steady employment opportunities

Quick training

Train in as little as 2-3 months

Skills

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!

key take aways

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
Courses

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.

Fiber Optics Installer

01/14/2025 - 02/20/2025

This instructor-led course provides a fundamental understanding of fiber optics and the practical hands-on skills training required to install and maintain fiber optic networks. Perfect for those new to fiber or those looking to enhance their current skill set. 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. Upon completion of the course, participants will earn a series of 3 Light Brigade supported credentials. All materials and exam included.

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

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: Introductory Craft Skills – Leads to HVAC 1 (Evening class)

02/18/2025 - 03/19/2025

The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) is the credentialing body for the NCCER CORE Curriculum certification. 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 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. This certification-training course provides the foundational skills needed to continue entry-level education in any skilled-craft.

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.

NCCER: Introductory Craft Skills – Leads to Electrical 1 (Daytime Class)

02/25/2025 - 04/03/2025

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

03/04/2025 - 04/08/2025

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.

NCCER: Introductory Craft Skills – Leads to Apartment Maintenance

03/04/2025 - 04/10/2025

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. This course is the required prerequisite for CAMT, Apartment maintenance.

NCCER – Electrical Level 1 (Evening class)

03/06/2025 - 05/07/2025

The 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 (Evening 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 – 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 – Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1

04/01/2025 - 05/14/2025

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.

NCCER: Introductory Craft Skills – Leads to Plumbing 1 (Bilingual instructor, Spanish/English)

04/01/2025 - 05/15/2025

This course leads to and is a prerequisite for Plumbing 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. Instructor is Bilingual and there may be both Spanish speaking students and English speaking students in class.

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.

Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician

04/15/2025 - 06/25/2025

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.

NCCER – Plumbing Level 1 (Bilingual instructor, Spanish/English)

05/20/2025 - 08/17/2025

The NCCER Plumbing 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 Plumbing 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. There may be Spanish and English speaking students in the class.

Resources

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 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

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