TCC lauds congressional effort to enhance maritime and energy education

A bipartisan proposal in the U.S. House of Representatives that would boost funding for maritime and energy workforce education is receiving a thumbs-up from Tidewater Community College.

The “Maritime and Energy Workforce Technical Training Enhancement Act” (H.R. 2923), which was introduced by a Texas congressman, is also receiving broad bipartisan support from the Hampton Roads delegation, including Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rep. Randy Forbes (VA-04), Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-01), and Rep. Scott Rigell (VA-02). All four have signed on as co-sponsors. (Their full statements can be found below.)

“From the Port of Virginia to commercial shipping to shipbuilding and ship repair, the maritime industry is critical to the Hampton Roads economy,” Scott said. “The Maritime and Energy Workforce Technical Training Act will make sure that community colleges have the necessary resources to provide training for these high-skilled jobs.”

Forbes noted that not all education can happen in a classroom. “On-site technical training is invaluable in many industries, especially in the maritime and energy sectors – which is why establishing maritime workforce training Centers of Excellence and supporting colleges’ efforts to expand maritime and energy workforce training programs is so critical to our students’ ability to compete and succeed,” he said.

Wittman said that workforce development strengthens American competitiveness in the global economy and provides rewarding careers to employees.

“Programs such as Centers of Excellence represent a great example of the benefits that can arise when industry and educational institutions work together in support of both students and the local economy,” he said. “I am proud to support this smart bill, one that will undoubtedly prove beneficial to students and the maritime industry in Virginia and around the nation.”

“The scores of waterways in Hampton Roads, and our robust port system, provide a unique economic advantage for our region, as well as flourishing demand for jobs in the maritime and energy industries,” Rigell said. “This important bill will grow and strengthen opportunities for the next generation of Americans and provide our students with the tools and training needed to be successful.”

TCC President Edna V. Baehre-Kolovani, who recently visited Capitol Hill in support of the bill, said Hampton Roads employers are worried about filling shipyard and port jobs being vacated by retiring baby boomers. “Our partners have told us over and over the skills they are seeking,” she said. “This bill would be good for business in our region, and it builds important infrastructure and capacity for our nation.”

The bill calls upon the Department of Energy to establish up to 10 “Centers of Excellence” at community colleges and other eligible institutions located in port regions that have established relationships with local industries and port authorities. The centers would each receive between $1 million and $1.5 million per grant to provide training related to:

maritime or energy transportation, logistics, and supply chain management; and
shipbuilding and ship repair.

The funds would pay for faculty, facilities and equipment, as well as offer tuition reimbursement and job placement. Training for veterans is a particular focus of the legislation.

TCC, among a handful of community and technical colleges in the United States that provide maritime and energy workforce training, has been identified as a potential Center of Excellence in light of the growing capabilities of its career training programs. The college already hosts the Southeast Maritime and Transportation (SMART) Center, the only National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education Center devoted to developing the maritime workforce.

TCC offers programs in many of the maritime and energy skills employers are seeking, including logistics, supply chain management, warehouse and distribution, welding, diesel and gasoline engines, alternative energies and industrial technologies.

“TCC has demonstrated its commitment to training the Hampton Roads workforce in these skills and, in particular, to serving our veterans,” Kolovani said.

She said TCC joins regional employers and organizations, including the Port of Virginia, Huntington Ingalls, Newport News Shipbuilding, Sumitomo Drive Technologies, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Ship Repair Association, and Navy League of the United States, in supporting H.R. 2923.

Full statements of members of U.S. House of Representatives in support of H.R. 2923

Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03):

“From the Port of Virginia to commercial shipping to shipbuilding and ship repair, the maritime industry is critical to the Hampton Roads economy. This industry requires unique training and workforce development and community colleges can help ensure that more individuals have the right skills to fill these jobs. The Maritime and Energy Workforce Technical Training Act will make sure that community colleges have the necessary resources to provide training for these high skilled jobs.”

Rep. Randy Forbes (VA-04):

“Not all education can be effectively accomplished in a classroom. On-site technical training is invaluable in many industries, especially in the maritime and energy sectors – which is why establishing maritime workforce training Centers of Excellence and supporting colleges’ efforts to expand maritime and energy workforce training programs is so critical to our students’ ability to compete and succeed. I am encouraged by the potential this legislation holds for our students and our employers, and will continue to champion initiatives that support our community colleges in the 4th District as they strive to provide critical educational and workforce training.”

Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-01):

“Innovative workforce development initiatives can be a crucial part of strengthening American competitiveness in the global economy and ensuring that workers have the skills necessary for rewarding careers. Programs such as Centers of Excellence represent a great example of the benefits that can arise when industry and educational institutions work together in support of both students and the local economy. I am proud to support this smart bill, one that will undoubtedly prove beneficial to students and the maritime industry in Virginia and around the nation.”

Rep. Scott Rigell (VA-02):

“The scores of waterways in Hampton Roads, and our robust port system, provide a unique economic advantage for our region, as well as flourishing demand for jobs in the maritime and energy industries. But our continued success as a competitive, global leader in these industries will rely on a fully trained, skilled workforce. This important bill will grow and strengthen opportunities for the next generation of Americans and provide our students with the tools and training needed to be successful. I’m proud to be a cosponsor of this bill, and grateful to our local community colleges for ensuring educational and workforce training remains a top priority.”