NORFOLK, Va. — There is a big push for students to choose technical career pathways and fill critical industry needs in Hampton Roads and across the U.S.
On Wednesday, some Hampton Roads mayors, college heads and business leaders held a roundtable talk on what’s needed to stack up the workforce pipeline.
“Employers are looking for individuals with a diversity of skills," said Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander. "Healthcare, of course, there is a shortage of Allied Health and nurses. Yes, there is a shortage of welders, machinists.”
Dr. Joel English is the Executive Vice President for Centura College, Aviation Institute of Maintenance and Tidewater Tech. He said there’s also a critical shortage of aircraft mechanics across the country.
“Aviation Institute of Maintenance has two campuses in Virginia and 15 campuses nationwide," Dr. English said. "We are the largest trainer of aircraft mechanics but we can’t put out enough to satisfy the workforce.”
Noah Brown, a senior advisor with the U.S. Department of Education, said his office is trying to direct funding in specific areas.
"We just issued new guidance to the states for career technical educational and we want states to start thinking about the future of how they invest those federal funds," Brown said. "So high premium on high skill, high wage occupational pathways.”
Dr. English hopes some of these efforts keep skilled workers in the 757.
"What we want to do is take the opportunity to combine forces with community college with the university with technical college to make sure we are creating the most opportunity for students," Dr. English said.