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

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.

NCCER: Introductory Craft Skills (Downtown Campus, leads to Plumbing)

09/12/2023 - 10/11/2023

This class leads to, and is required for the plumbing course. 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: Introductory Craft Skills (Downtown Campus, leads to HVAC)

09/12/2023 - 10/11/2023

This class leads to, and is required for HVAC 1. 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: Introductory Craft Skills, leads to Heavy Equipment Operator Course)

05/09/2023 - 06/01/2023

This course leads to and is a prerequisite for Heavy Equipment operator 1. 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 – Electrical Level 1

05/10/2023 - 06/28/2023

The 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. 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. Registration in NCCER CORE, or previous NCCER CORE certification is required for enrollment in NCCER Electrical level 1.

NCCER: Introductory Craft Skills – Downtown Campus, Leads to Electrical 1

04/10/2023 - 05/02/2023

This class leads to, and is required for the Electrical 1 courses. 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.

National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) – Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1 (HYBRID)

06/06/2023 - 07/27/2023

 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.

National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) – HVAC Level 1

10/12/2023 - 12/12/2023

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.

National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) – Plumbing Level 1

10/12/2023 - 12/12/2023

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.

Lead Abatement Supervisor

06/27/2023 - 06/30/2023

Lead Abatement Supervisor training provides information on lead-based paint abatement and regulatory guidelines for those individuals that will plan and/or oversee lead abatement work. This 32-hour course includes a required minimum of 8 hours for hands-on training.

Lead Safety for Renovation, Repair, and Painting

06/02/2023 - 06/02/2023

This course was developed by the EPA, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to train renovation, repair, and painting contractors how to work safely in housing with lead-based paint and comply with EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule, and HUD's Lead Safe Housing Rule. This course includes EPA required hands-on components.

Lead Abatement Inspector

06/05/2023 - 06/07/2023

Lead Abatement Inspector training provides information for individuals who wish to perform lead-based paint inspections and/or clearance examinations. This course will teach the inspection and clearance procedures outlined in state and federal regulations and guidelines, and legal obligations facing inspectors when inspecting for lead-based paint.

Lead Abatement Risk Assessor

06/08/2023 - 06/09/2023

The Lead Risk Assessor training course provides information for those individuals who wish to perform lead-based paint Risk Assessment or Lead Hazard Screening services. This class will prepare students to perform on-site risk assessment, take samples, determine the severity of lead hazards, and develop options for eliminating those hazards.

Lead Safety for Renovation, Repair, and Painting

07/07/2023 - 07/07/2023

This course was developed by the EPA, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to train renovation, repair, and painting contractors how to work safely in housing with lead-based paint and comply with EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule, and HUD's Lead Safe Housing Rule. This course includes EPA required hands-on components.

Lead Safety for Renovation, Repair, and Painting

08/04/2023 - 08/04/2023

This course was developed by the EPA, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to train renovation, repair, and painting contractors how to work safely in housing with lead-based paint and comply with EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule, and HUD's Lead Safe Housing Rule. This course includes EPA required hands-on components.

Lead Safety for Renovation, Repair, and Painting

09/01/2023 - 09/01/2023

This course was developed by the EPA, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to train renovation, repair, and painting contractors how to work safely in housing with lead-based paint and comply with EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule, and HUD's Lead Safe Housing Rule. This course includes EPA required hands-on components.

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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