Suffolk, VA. (May 25, 2023) – The Maritime Industrial Base Ecosystem (MIBE) at the ODU Virginia Modeling, Analysis, & Simulation Center (VMASC) has been awarded a $1.1 Million project through a GO Virginia grant for the Maritime Entry-to-Employment Training – or MEET – program. This program will provide entry level instruction for maritime pipefitters, fiber optic technicians, and welders at no cost.

MEET builds upon the highly successful Coastal Virginia Maritime Advancement Program (COVA MAP), which has been used by over 800 trainees from industry, public high schools, community colleges, and activated US Navy Reservists. Three years in the making, MEET is funded by a GO Virginia grant administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. All courses created through COVA MAP and MEET are internet-based and publicly available for free.

Led by MIBE Executive Director and VMASC Chief Operations Officer Dr. Mike Robinson, the MEET team includes experts in maritime maintenance repair, education, and Modeling & Simulation. “Our team is committed to supporting and preparing the future maritime workforce with the tools necessary for success,” said Dr. Robinson. “With this grant, we will expand our existing course list to include pipefitters and fiber optic technicians, and continue offering high-quality education materials for those seeking a career in the maritime industry in support of Hampton Roads Workforce Council efforts.”

MEET’s focus on welding and inside machinist training addresses long-standing maritime skills needs, but its featured fiber optic technician training will meet communication needs in military installations and rural ecosystems alike. Such connectivity is a core element in the nation’s array of infrastructure improvement programs.

Partners on the project include a unique collaborative blend of training experts from Tidewater Community College, the New College Institute in Martinsville, VA and Norfolk-based QED Systems, the East Coast’s sole Navy-certified training source for select trades.

For more information, visit https://covamap.vmasc.org/.

“This project was funded in part by GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that strengthens and diversifies Virginia’s economy and fosters the creation of higher wage jobs in strategic industries.”