ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – College of The Albemarle (COA) will expand its welding program through efforts supported by the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) Program Office. The $590,000 grant will increase training opportunities for students while helping meet the growing demand for skilled welders across northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia.
The grant will support the expansion of welding instruction at COA – Edenton-Chowan through facility renovations, the addition of new welding booths, new equipment and expanded instructional capacity. The additional welding booths will help expand the welding pipeline to serve up to 72 students annually through curriculum and short-term training, creating additional opportunities for students to pursue high-demand maritime careers.
“This investment represents more than an expansion of our welding program; it is an investment in our students, our communities and the future workforce of our region,” said Dr. Jack Bagwell, President of College of The Albemarle. “As employers continue to seek highly skilled workers, College of The Albemarle is committed to providing accessible, high-quality training that prepares students for rewarding careers while supporting the economic growth and workforce needs of northeastern North Carolina.”
Demand for COA’s welding program has continued to exceed available capacity, with student waitlists each year and existing welding labs operating at full capacity. The expansion will allow the College to reduce waitlists and increase access to welding training.
According to Michelle Waters, Dean of Business, Industry and Applied Technologies at College of The Albemarle, the expansion will have a lasting impact on both students and employers.
“We know there is tremendous interest in welding careers, and our current program has reached its capacity,” Waters said. “This grant allows us to expand our facilities, increase course offerings and provide more students with the hands-on training they need to enter well-paying, high-demand careers. At the same time, we’re helping regional submarine industrial base employers build the skilled workforce they need today and into the future.”
In addition to expanding instructional capacity, the project will strengthen partnerships with regional employers through career fairs, workforce training opportunities and industry engagement, creating additional pathways from the classroom to employment.
For information or media inquiries, contact Tammy W. Sawyer, Executive Director, Public Relations and Institutional Engagement, at 252-335-0821 ext. 2420, or [email protected].
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About College of The Albemarle
College of The Albemarle (COA) serves as the regional community college for Northeastern North Carolina, fostering educational excellence at the heart of the communities we proudly serve. With a rich and expansive history, COA offers accessible, high-quality education to students across Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties. Our four campuses, strategically located throughout the region, reflect our commitment to student success. At COA, we empower individuals, transforming lives and shaping the future of our region. Discover your potential with College of The Albemarle, where education meets opportunity.
About the Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) Program Office
The Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) Program Office leads the U.S. Navy’s effort to strengthen the national industrial base that designs, builds, and sustains America’s submarine fleet. To support the delivery of one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines annually, the industrial base must expand capacity, increase capability, and grow the skilled workforce needed for submarine construction and sustainment. The SIB Program Office helps close that gap through coordinated efforts in supply chain, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development. Together, these lines of effort reinforce one another and help accelerate submarine production.