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.

IECC Apprenticeship level 1

01/01/2024 - 05/28/2024

Join our first cohort of a brand 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! Class will meet 2 nights per week, with one evening being virtual. Apply online through IECC and receive job placement assistance. Deadline for Fall 2023 course is July 15.

Lead Abatement Supervisor

01/08/2024 - 01/11/2024

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. This course is approved by Virginia's Department of Professional Regulations.

NCCER: Introductory Craft Skills – Leads to Electrical 1

02/27/2024 - 03/28/2024

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.

NCCER: Introductory Craft Skills – Leads to Plumbing 1

03/12/2024 - 04/10/2024

This class leads to, and is required for the plumbing course. 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

03/12/2024 - 04/10/2024

This class leads to, and is required 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 Heavy Equipment Operator (HYBRID)

03/26/2024 - 04/26/2024

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.

NCCER – Electrical Level 1

04/02/2024 - 05/16/2024

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.

NCCER – HVAC Level 1

04/11/2024 - 06/24/2024

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.

NCCER – Plumbing Level 1

04/11/2024 - 06/04/2024

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.

NCCER – Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1 (HYBRID)

04/25/2024 - 06/11/2024

 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.

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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