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 – Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1

06/03/2025 - 07/17/2025

$1150 Fast Forward Price for VA Residents. The NCCER Introductory Craft Skills course is a required prerequisite for this course. 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

06/24/2025 - 08/28/2025

$900 Fast Forward Price for VA Residents. 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.

Fiber Optics Installer

07/17/2025 - 08/26/2025

Fast Forward price for VA residents $1550, or even $0, for many eligible students. Students do not need to be currently working for a trades employer to start this program. 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. This includes classroom theory and lecture, which allows students to gain knowledge of fiber technology and network components. The students will experience hands-on skills training to learn and apply proper cable preparation, termination, splicing, and testing skills. Textbook is included with the course.

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

08/19/2025 - 09/17/2025

$533 Fast Forward Price for VA Residents. 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 Electrical (Afternoon schedule)

08/19/2025 - 09/17/2025

NCCER: Introductory Craft Skills – Leads to HVAC 1 (Day Class)

08/25/2025 - 10/13/2025

$533 Fast Forward Price for VA Residents. 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 HVAC 1 (Evening Class)

09/02/2025 - 10/01/2025

National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) - HVAC Level 2

09/02/2025 - 12/09/2025

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.

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

09/09/2025 - 10/23/2025

$533 Fast Forward Price for VA Residents. 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. $366 Fast Forward Price for VA Residents

NCCER – Electrical Level 1 (Daytime class, Intro class is a required prerequisite)

09/18/2025 - 12/11/2025

$833 Fast Forward Price for VA Residents. The NCCER Introductory Craft Skills course is a required prerequisite for this course. 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 – Electrical Level 1 (Evening class)

09/18/2025 - 11/20/2025

NCCER – HVAC Level 1 (Evening class)

10/02/2025 - 12/09/2025

$833 Fast Forward Price for VA Residents. 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, Intro class is a required prerequisite)

10/15/2025 - 01/28/2026

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

10/28/2025 - 02/10/2026

$833 Fast Forward Price for VA Residents. 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.

Fiber Optics Installer

10/30/2025 - 12/18/2025

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.

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

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