Virginia Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program Employer Advisory Group Session 2

Description

A statewide employer advisory group is being organized for the Virginia Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program to guide skill-gap validation, apprenticeship work-process development, and related technical instruction. Seven employers have expressed interest, meeting the contract minimum, while additional participants may be added before the group is seated in September. [1] • Three validation sessions: Tentative sessions are scheduled for October 7, November 5, and December 8, 2026, respectively, to validate D1 findings, review the D3 on-the-job training structure and Work Process Schedule, and confirm that D4 related technical instruction reflects manufacturer needs; all sessions fall within the contract period ending December 30, 2026. [2] • Balanced employer representation: The roster includes three employers from Hampton Roads, three from Richmond or Central Virginia, and one from Southwest Virginia, covering maritime and advanced manufacturing as well as advanced manufacturing. Four employers currently participate in Registered Apprenticeship, three do not, and readiness to host is recorded as four ready now, two exploring, and one not yet. • Gaps and documentation: Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia remain unrepresented, so additional survey responses may be used to improve regional coverage. The group’s structure should be coordinated with the Tidewater Registered Apprenticeship Consortium operated by TCC, while maintaining separate attendance and session records; each session will produce a meeting summary, with a final report documenting participation and input incorporated into D2, D3, and D4 deliverables.