The Apprentice School, founded in 1919 at Newport News Shipbuilding, is the preeminent apprenticeship program in the nation and offers four, five, and eight-year apprenticeships in 19 shipbuilding disciplines and eight advanced programs of study. The Apprentice School is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education and registered with the Virginia Apprenticeship Council. The school offers apprentices the opportunity to earn college credit, receive competitive pay and benefits and learn a trade.

Tidewater Community College (TCC) is the largest provider of higher education and workforce services in Hampton Roads and second largest in Virginia enrolling nearly 33,000 students with one third comprised of military affiliated students. TCC Apprenticeship Institute partners with Hampton Roads employers in various industries. TCC also hosts programs in machine technology, mechatronics, maritime technologies, and a wide variety of other technical studies.

Langley Research Center is a branch of NASA, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, an elite group of only 20 locations nationally. Led by some of the industry's preeminent minds, the centers overarching mission is to develop and improve technology for aviation and space exploration. Known as America’s first civil aeronautics laboratory, Langley produces innovations that have drastically impacted not only the industry, but the world.