These Beach Kids Had a Marvelous Monday in Portsmouth

You might say many of the “smart” students today are the ones in vocational technical education, the trades, where opportunities are abundant, jobs are secure, pay is healthy and college, at least four years of it, is optional.

The 40 high school seniors on this luxury bus are learning welding in Virginia Beach and about manufacturing across the region, which is why they were touring Portsmouth Marine Terminal on a recent Monday morning and ogling at the long monopiles and the tall transition pieces that will comprise part of the Costal Virginia Offshore Wind project.

“My kids are the best,” said nine-year instructor Joe Santos, a veteran welder whose program is so popular that the city is adding a second welding lab. Many of these fourth years are only in class a couple hours, the balance of their day spent outside at real life industry internships. “They will get full time jobs as soon as they graduate. That’s how well prepared they will be.”

And there’s the demand for their talents, including from offshore wind companies. “There is welding happening right here at PMT and more out at sea once these pieces are in place and producing energy,” said Sigi Huerta who runs the terminal for the VA Port Authority. And it’s not just welders they want. “I was very impressed with the number of other trades they need,” said skill seeker Aiden Eastwood.

After touring PMT, the seniors visited TCC’s Skilled Trades Academy, also in Portsmouth, and then the school’s student center to hobnob with profs, all part of Wind Energy Rocks, a signature creation of WINDSdays in partnership with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council and the Commonwealth through a grant. Dominion Energy and Taste shared the cost of lunch.

“Thank you so much,” said Jenny Ailstock, who connects students with jobs and apprenticeships. “We are always looking for opportunities to expose our students to possible careers in Hampton Roads, whether it’s in our city or another,” says Beach superintendent Don Robertson. “This day and for these kids, Portsmouth was the right place to be.”