Two Hampton Roads school divisions receive grants for welding, nursing programs

The Hampton and Chesapeake school divisions each will receive $125,000 to support career and technical education programs.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons announced in a news release this week that the Virginia Department of Education was awarding $3 million in one-time grants to 24 school divisions. The grants will allow schools to establish, expand or restore trade programs in middle or high schools.

In Chesapeake, the money will go toward nursing assistant equipment for the Caring for Our Aging Population Program at the Chesapeake Career Center. In Hampton, the money will go toward the purchase of welding equipment for the New Horizons Regional Centers.

The money comes from 2022 appropriated funding from the General Assembly to expand skilled trades programs that lead to students earning industry-recognized certifications or credentials.

“In Virginia and across the nation there are high-paying jobs in the skilled trades that go unfilled due to a shortage of qualified applicants,” Coons said. “I want to thank the General Assembly for recognizing the need to prepare more young people for these career opportunities and providing the funding for these grants.”

Nour Habib, [email protected]

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