Interested in a skilled trade education?

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Building a workforce to be reckoned with

The conversation around higher education is changing. A traditional education at a four-year university is no longer the only acceptable option. A skilled and technical workforce is vital for our economy. Whether it’s health and medical sciences, software and IT, construction, or business–Trades + Tech is the mentor that helps you trade up to your dream career.

Explore Classes and Programs For:

Explore Trades + Tech Courses below at:

  • Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) in Weyers Cave, Virginia

  • Central Virginia Community College (CVCC), Lynchburg, Virginia

  • Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) in Charlottesville, Virginia

  • University of Virginia (UVA) in Charlottesville, Virginia

  • Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center (CATEC) in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Healthcare Classes and Programs

  • PVCC: FastForward Credential Program for Clinical Medical Assistant, EKG Technician, Nurse Aide, or Phlebotomy Technician. 

  • CATEC: Classes to become a Certified Nurse Assistant, Registered Medication Aide, Emergency Medical Technician.

  • PVCC: A program preparing students for entry-level EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) positions and EMT certification. 

  • PVCC: A certification to become a Pharmacy Technician. 

  • UVA: The “Earn While You Learn” program provides training in EMT, Phlebotomy, Medical Assistant, Patient Care, and Pharmacy – all while receiving pay and benefits. Training programs last from six weeks to one year. All can lead to employment at UVA Health.

  • BRCC: Blue Ridge Community College offers options for Healthcare Classes, including the following: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Certified Professional Coder, EKG Technician, and Pharmact Technician.

  • CVCC: The Accelerated Paramedic Course prepares students for the National Registry Paramedic certification.

  • CVCC: FastForward Credential Program for Advanced Emergency Medical Technician provides training in basic advanced emergency medical care and transportation for critical patients.

Technology Classes and Programs

  • A+: FastForward Credential Program for an entry-level IT position. Programs available in entry-level Networking and Security.  

  • PVCC: The Fundamentals of Programming - prepares students for entry-level jobs in Computer Programming. 

  • PVCC: This Web Technologies program teaches students to create well-designed and well-organized websites. 

  • PVCC: The Mechanical Technician program is a 2-semester program to prepare students in manufacturing and building mechanical skills related to Computer Aided Design and Computer Numeric Controlled machines to prepare for employment as a Mechanical Technician.

  • PVCC: Fiber Optics Installer. This FastForward Credential program trains workers for the installation, maintenance, and repair of fiber optics networks, which could lead to jobs as a Fiber Optic Technician, Inspector, or Data Center Technician. This is a G3 program with possible qualification for free tuition.

  • BRCC: IT Certification and Computing Classes: Five classes support students who want to be certified IT Technicians: Cloud Practitioner, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security, and  Google IT Support Professional Certificate. Each of these classes qualifies students for another level of IT computing towards support positions in Technology Support. 

Cybersecurity

  • PVCC: Security+ This FastForward Credential Program is the first step to a career in Cybersecurity. Students learn to identify threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities on the internet and how to use security assessment tools and incident response procedures.

Automotive Classes and Programs

  • CATEC: Classes in Auto Tech, Auto Electricity, and Auto Performance. 

  • PVCC: The Compact Diesel Engine Repair FastForward Credential Program is an introduction to Diesel Engines related to heavy equipment. 

  • BRCC: Blue Ridge Community College has three programs in Automotive Analysis and repair, each program leading to certification in that area: Automotive Undercar and HVAC Systems, Automotive Fuel and Electrical Systems, and Automotive Mechanical Systems.

Building Trades Classes and Programs

  • PVCC: The Introduction to Construction FastForward Credential Program is the first of many classes related to construction. 

  • PVCC: Four levels of FastForward Electrical Classes leading to certifications. 

  • PVCC: FastForward classes in Air Conditioning and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) leading to certification. 

  • PVCC: This FastForward class provides the basic electrical and construction knowledge for entry-level jobs in property maintenance of homes and apartments. 

  • PVCC: A FastForward Plumbing Credential Program leading to an entry-level career as a plumber. 

  • PVCC: This FastForward Welding Program teaches basic to advanced welding skills leading to certification.

  • UVA: This is a high-level, journey-level apprenticeship program. Students get classwork and hands-on training over four years and receive pay and benefits throughout training. Fields include Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Carpentry, and Masonry. Entry is competitive. 

  • VA School of Metal: Welding classes from introductory to advanced plus AWS Qualification classes.

  • CATEC: Electricity and related classes. In-person classes are offered for adults in Introduction to Electricity, HVAC, and more.  CATEC also offers a CFC Certification exam prep class.

  • BRCC: Blue Ridge Community College has four classes in welding: Welding Fundamentals, Welding Fabrication, Pipe Welding I and Pipe Welding II. These prepare students for American Welding Society certification.

  • CVCC: CVCC offers four FastForward, G3, evening plumbing classes. Students must take the NCCER Core class of basic construction before enrolling in this class. This program is a rigorous curriculum preparing students for a career as skilled plumbers. 

Other Trades Classes and Programs

Culinary Arts

  • Culinary Concepts: Cooking classes for individuals or institutions. 

  • Go Cook: This is a six-week training program for entry-level food preparation jobs. 

  • PVCC: This 2-year degree program blends professional and technical courses with hands-on training for a career in the food service industry.

Solar/Alternative Energy

  • PVCC: The Solar Technician FastForward Credential Program prepares students for entry-level employment in residential solar system design, installation, and maintenance of PV (Photovoltaic) systems.

Commercial Drivers

  • PVCC: The Commercial Drivers program offers three different licensing paths, all of which have classroom work and behind-the-wheel training.

Aviation

  • BRCC: Blue Ridge Community College offers the following aviation courses: Drone Technology, Commercial Pilot Ground School & Flight Training, Instrument Pilot Ground School and Flight Training, and Private Pilot Ground School & Flight Training.

Machining

  • BRCC: Machining: This program involves seven classes that teach how to use tools to shape metal for industrial purposes. Classes include Introduction to Precision Machining, Lathe: Chucking, Lathe: Turning Between Centers, Machine Tool I, II, and III, Surface Grinding – Heat Treating & Metallurgy.