The Military Education and Workforce Initiative (MEWI) assists Veterans and service members with their transition from active duty to civilian life.

MEWI enhances employment opportunities for Virginians who have served in the United States Military, and their spouses, by providing a pathway to education, training, certifications, and technology.

• Assist institutions with creating internship opportunities for Military and Veteran affiliated students
• Facilitate the employment of military-related graduates by connecting them to V3-certified companies
• Create employment credentialing pathways through community partnerships
• Equip Military-connected students with the necessary technology to aid them in their educational endeavors.

Military-related students represent a growing pipeline of talent to Virginia employers. However, these students face obstacles that traditional student may not, which can impede their ability to complete degrees and certifications. MEWI focuses on assisting the education and training of Military-connected students by providing them with the equipment and opportunities to meet the needs of their academic and career aspirations.

The Military Education and Training Workforce Initiative (formerly known as the Training and Education Alliance) is possible through a generous grant from the Altria Group.  Developed with the guidance of a steering committee of 13 Virginia Colleges and Universities combined with in-depth research into the best practices of educational institutions across the United States, the program is both well researched and practical. 

The Military Education and Workforce Initiative is seeking to partner with Virginia Institutions and employers to build the Virginia Veteran workforce to meet the growing talent demands of employers with well-educated, trained, and certified Veterans. Join us today!

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) approved Virginia  Skillbridge Program provides transitioning service members the opportunity to network with Veteran Certified employers offering internships to eligible applicants, with commander approval, up to six months prior to separation.  Participation in the Virginia SkillBridge program while still serving in the military allows you to gain marketable skills and experience to enhance your civilian career opportunities.

Virginia SkillBridge Program- Available Internships

List of Virginia SkillBridge Internships by Category

To view the most up-to-date list of available internship opportunities, click the link above. The listing of available Virginia SkillBridge internships is updated often, so check regularly to see if a new opportunity is right for you. Before selecting a company to pursue, be sure to visit the company’s website to learn more about them.

Service Member Information and Application- Virginia SkillBridge Program

Are you interested in applying or learning more about the Virginia SkillBridge Program? Click Below to learn more!!

Service Member Application & Portal

Virginia SkillBridge FAQs

What is it?

A Department of Defense, DoD, approved SkillBridge program.

What does it do?

Facilitates internship opportunities between certified employers and service members.

Who is it for?

Transitioning service members 180 days out from separation.

Why should I enroll?

Provides valuable skills and industry experience in the private sector, while still on active duty.

How does it work?

Training occurs in lieu of duty for eligible applicants, with command approval, up to six months prior to separation.

Virginia SkillBridge in Action

Click the image above to hear about how Brian Heinz utilized the Virginia SkillBridge Program.

Interested Employer?

Virginia SkillBridge Program Provider Information

Participating employers can benefit from excellent skill sets such as leadership, performance under pressure, professionalism, and teamwork oriented.

The Virginia SkillBridge Program currently offers approved employers the opportunity to support transitioning service members by providing them an opportunity to experience civilian employment at no cost to their organization, while the service members are still on active duty, improving the employer’s opportunity to recruit transitioning service members.

Virginia SkillBridge Employer Application

Virginia SkillBridge Employer Monthly Tracking

Military Education Enhancement Programs are created to provide Military-connected students with education, training, certifications and technology to create employees with industry standards and requirements that employers strive for.

Eastern Education Project

Maritime Trades Training Program

MARITIME TRADES
TRAINING (MTT)
PROGRAM

The MTT Program is for individuals
interested in learning a meaningful
trade skill they can carry with them for
the rest of their lives.

Candidates will start working for
Newport News Shipbuilding fulltime upon completion of their chosen
training course.

WHAT YOU RECEIVE AT
NO COST:
• 1 – 3 Week Trades Courses
• Guaranteed Employment
• Starting Salaries Range from $50,000
to $65,000 per year

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED:

Deck Electrician

Ship Fitter

Inside Machinist

Outside Machinist

Marine Coatings

Marine Insulator

Pipe Fitter

Sheet Metal Worker

Welder

Apply Here!!!

Go from jobless to a $65,000 job in as
little as 3 weeks!

Military Student Technology Initiative

Virginia Department of Veterans Services Military Student Laptop Application

Through a generous grant from the Altria Group, MEWI was able to partner with the Veterans Services Foundation, the Virginia Community College System and Tech 4 Troops to establish the Veteran Technology Initiative. Through this effort refurbished laptops are available through all participating Virginia Community College System schools to Active Duty Service Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses who are currently enrolled in participating schools.

*Adult Dependents are eligible to participate in VVLP for Virginia Commonwealth University and Brightpoint Community College ONLY*

Apply for enrollment in the Military Education Workforce Technology Project.

**Attention**

Please note that our application is being updated, and there will be an expansion of available schools that will participate in our Technology Initiative. 

Apply Now! 

Pathways to Employment

In demand, high paying careers are made possible by industry leading educational certifications. Now these certifications are made available to Veterans, spouses, and active duty service members free of charge. This is made possible through the Virginia Department of Veteran Services partnership with the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA), Altria Group, and the Veteran Service Foundation to provide Veterans, spouses, and active duty service members with a CCWA Credentialing Grant.

Participants are eligible to enroll with the CCWA in order to obtain the following certifications for free:

MT1

Comptia Security+

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

AWS Certified Solutions Architect

Logistics Associate

Logistics Technician

OSHA Training

Lean Practitioner

Manufacturing Specialist

Comptia A+

Comptia Network+

Learn About Certifications Now!