Announcing Virginia’s
VIRGINIA MARITIME & NUCLEAR
WORKFORCE ACCELERATOR
Targeted Assistance for our Valued Employers
Supporting Virginia’s Maritime, Nuclear, and Aligned Manufacturing Workforce
Funds Available:
Reimbursement of up to 80% of approved training costs, capped at $100,000 per employer.
Timeline:
This is a multi-step process: Interest form, competitive application, application review and decision.
Start with the Interest Form today!
Are you ready to strengthen your workforce and build sustainable talent pipelines in Virginia’s maritime, nuclear, or manufacturing sectors?
Fill out the interest form below to start your journey! We want to engage with you to better understand your needs and build training modules with measurable impact for your bottom line. The Virginia Maritime & Nuclear Workforce Accelerator is a competitive, employer-driven program designed to support companies in identifying workforce needs and implementing targeted training solutions. Participating employers will work with Virginia Works and strategic partners to:
- Identify critical occupations and skills gaps
- Select training model(s) aligned to business needs such as short-term credentials, custom training, Registered Apprenticeship, and more
- Submit competitive application for training funding (Spring 2026)
- Implement approved training plan and receive reimbursement for eligible training costs tied to performance outcomes
This initiative prioritizes flexibility, minimizes administrative burden, and aligns training investments with employer-identified workforce demands.
Review the FAQs below for additional guidance.
Ready to get started? Fill out the interest form below and send to GrantApplications@virginiaworks.gov!
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be:
- Employers operating in Virginia
- Employers engaged in shipbuilding, nuclear energy, or aligned manufacturing supply chain occupations
- Employers committed to participating in the performance reporting process
Funding Availability and Reimbursement Structure
Eligible applicants must be:
- Employers may be reimbursed for up to 80% of eligible training costs
- Maximum reimbursement per employer: $100,000
- Reimbursement is tied to performance milestones:
- 60% upon verified participant training completion
- 20% upon verified six-month post-training job retention
- Trainee wages and salaries are not allowable costs under this program
- All costs must be approved in advance and meet federal and state allowability and procurement standards.
Allowable Costs (Examples)
Eligible training costs may include:
- Training tuition and fees
- Instructional materials and supplies
- Trainer wage/salary costs
- Training-related tools or equipment used for instruction
- Credentialing or certification fees
All costs must be approved in advance and meet federal and state allowability and procurement standards.
Reporting & Compliance Requirements
Employers must:
- Provide minimum required data on training participants
- Verify training completion and retention milestones
- Submit required documentation to support reimbursement
- All costs must be approved in advance and meet federal and state reporting standards.
Virginia Works will provide guidance, templates, and technical assistance to support compliance
Key Requirements
Eligible applicants must:
- Select training models aligned to identified workforce needs
- Provide training according to approved application for funding
- Be committed to performance tracking and reporting requirements
FAQS
How do employers get started?
Employers begin by emailing a Program Interest Form to GrantApplications@virginiaworks.gov. Virginia Works will follow up to confirm initial alignment with program requirements.
Updated 1/22/26
Where do employers submit the Program Interest Form?
Employers may submit their Program Interest Form by emailing it to GrantApplications@virginiaworks.gov. Virginia Works may follow up with additional questions after receiving your Interest Form to better understand your needs.
Updated 1/22/26
What types of training are supported?
Supported training options may include:
- Short-term credential or certification programs
- Customized or modular training
- Registered Apprenticeship or apprenticeship-aligned training
- Employer-led on-the-job training models
Updated 1/16/26
How much funding can an employer receive?
Each employer may receive reimbursement for up to 80% of eligible training costs, with a maximum reimbursement of $100,000 per employer.
Updated 1/16/26
How does reimbursement work?
Reimbursement is performance-based:
- 60% of approved training costs after verified training completion
- 20% after verified six-month job retention
Employers are responsible for the remaining portion of training costs.
Updated 1/16/26
Can this program support incumbent/current workers?
Yes. Training may support new hires or incumbent/current workers, provided it aligns with program requirements and approved training plans.
Updated 1/16/26
Can this program support new hires?
Yes. Training may support new hires or incumbent/current workers, provided it aligns with program requirements and approved training plans.
Updated 1/16/26
What reporting is required?
Employers must provide required participant data, training completion documentation, and retention verification in accordance with federal and state reporting standards.
Updated 1/16/26
Who do we contact with questions?
All questions can be directed to Virginia Works at: GrantApplications@virginiaworks.gov
Updated 1/16/26
Virginia Works is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Department of Workforce Development and Advancement | Virginia Works is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) – Employment and Training Administration (ETA) through the use of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (Award FAIN #24A55AT000085, 24A55AW000090, 24A55AY000108, 25A55AW000121) totaling $49,692,478. The dollar amount of Federal funds for this project equal $2,000,000, which constitutes 100 percent of the project cost. Zero costs and zero percent of this project were financed by non-governmental source.
We are committed to fostering partnerships that drive innovation and job creation.