A Large and Talented Workforce

Ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for Education by CNBC, Virginia has a strong aerospace industry workforce, which is forecast to grow 11% over the next decade. The aerospace industry draws talent from thousands of service members who exit the armed services in Virginia every year — many with security clearances — and the state’s growing demographics and excellent school systems ensure a steady flow of new talent.

 

 

America's Top State for Talent

America’s Military Metro: Largest Concentration of Military Assets on the Planet

Hampton roads is home to 19 Military installations and over 120,000 active and reserve military personnel. Additionally, over 15,000 services members exit the military each year in Hampton Roads, and half stay in the region creating a regional workforce ecosystem that is built to scale.

Education and Workforce Assets in Hampton Roads

Hampton Roads boasts the largest concentration of college students in Virginia, with more than 138,000 individuals enrolled across the region’s 33 universities, colleges, and trade schools, and more than 26,000 degrees conferred annually. These groups supplement an already highly trained workforce that can meet the needs of Project Atlas.

Old Dominion University (ODU)

As the region’s leading technical school, Old Dominion University’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering trains high performing and work ready engineers. Graduate degrees offered are the Master of Science and the Master of Engineering in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The department also offers a Master of Engineering program emphasizing design and manufacturing. The department has close ties with the nearby NASA Langley Research Center located in Hampton and NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

Hampton University

The Franklin W. Olin School of Engineering, Architecture, and Aviation at Hampton University is a leader among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in aviation and engineering programs. Hampton University’s Department of Aviation in the School of Engineering and Technology is one of only 40 Aviation programs accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI), which ensures students are provided with quality education, training, and expertise that meets industry standards. It is also the first Historically Black College and University with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program.

Christopher Newport University (CNU)

Christopher Newport University is a four-year public university which enrolls approximately 4,500 students annually. CNU students and faculty in the Department of Molecular Biology and Chemistry study the natural world at the molecular and chemical level, offering Chemistry and Biochemistry bachelor’s programs that are certified by the American Chemical Society. CNU offers a combination of classroom and laboratory instruction, as well as research experiences that prepare students for success in advanced study or employment.

Norfolk State University (NSU)

The Center for Materials Research (CMR) at Norfolk State University (NSU) provides graduate education and conducts pioneering research in materials science and engineering. CMR research falls into four categories, Optics, plasmonics, and metamaterials; Nanomaterials and nanotechnology; Advanced functional materials and devices; Semiconductor materials and devices. NSU graduate students are able to work on projects with external research organizations, including national laboratories, industries, and universities.

Denbigh High School Aviation Academy

Located in Newport News, Denbigh High School’s Aviation Academy is a nationally recognized STEM site with a focus on piloting, aircraft maintenance, engineering, computers, and electronics. Their mission is to provide a quality education that will maximize students’ potential by providing them with the knowledge, skills, experiences, and values needed in the 21st-century workplace.