Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) released the following statement in response to the designation of Tidewater Community College (TCC) as a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education.

“I am glad Tidewater Community College (TCC) received the designation as a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education,” Wittman said. “TCC’s longstanding history of meeting the maritime workforce needs of the Southeastern Virginia region is unmatched and this designation is well deserved. The maritime industry in the Commonwealth of Virginia accounts for a substantial proportion of jobs and wages for Virginians and supports critical national priorities, particularly commerce and defense. While some maritime jobs may require applicants to attain a four-year degree, many of the opportunities in the maritime industry only require a two-year degree or credential from a community or technical college. Shipbuilding, ship repair, and other maritime careers require quality workers with skill sets often not offered by four-year colleges and universities.

“Tidewater Community College’s exemplary programs to prepare students to contribute to the industrial base well-positions Virginia to train a workforce capable of supporting a growing maritime industry.” 

This designation follows a letter sent to Former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao by Congressman Wittman and members of the Virginia Delegation recommending TCC be designated a Domestic Maritime Center of Excellence.

“Serving the 5th largest port in North America and the largest Naval Base in the world, TCC has a longstanding history of meeting the maritime workforce needs in the Hampton Roads region. TCC offers Maritime and Logistics programs in Inside Machinist, Maritime Logistics, Maritime Technologies, Maritime Welding, Marine Electrical, Marine Mechanical, Pipefitter, and Truck Driving,” the members wrote.

“[We] request you give full and fair consideration to designate Tidewater Community College a Domestic Maritime Center of Excellence, as we believe it is uniquely capable of helping secure our nation’s talent pipeline for the domestic maritime industry,” the members concluded.

In addition, in 2017 Congressman Wittman’s legislation, the Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act, passed the House as part of the National Defense Authorization Act and was signed into law by President Trump. This bill advances the capabilities of two-year community and technical colleges to assist the federal government and industry in securing the talent pipeline for domestic maritime industry jobs. This bill not only helps promote participation in STEM and CTE but will create a talent pipeline for our shipbuilders and repairmen in order to sustain and grow our Navy’s Fleet.

A full list of 27 Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education can be found here. Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy (MAMA) located in Norfolk, VA also received the Center of Excellence designation.

To read the full letter to Former Secretary Elaine Chao, read below:

The Honorable Elaine Chao

Secretary of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.

Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Madam Secretary:

We write today to respectfully request your consideration of Tidewater Community College (TCC) as a designated Domestic Maritime Center of Excellence pursuant to the Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act, signed into law as part of the FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act.

Serving the 5th largest port in North America and the largest Naval Base in the world, TCC has a longstanding history of meeting the maritime workforce needs in the Hampton Roads region. TCC offers Maritime and Logistics programs in Inside Machinist, Maritime Logistics, Maritime Technologies, Maritime Welding, Marine Electrical, Marine Mechanical, Pipefitter, and Truck Driving.

Tidewater Community College is also home to the Southeast Maritime and Transportation (SMART) Center. The SMART Center is the only National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education (NSF ATE) center in the U.S. solely focused on developing a pipeline of credentialed skilled technicians in the maritime and transportation industry. The college enrolls 2500 registered apprentices and students each year in Maritime programs in collaboration with several local, regional and national business and industry partners including, for example, AMSEC, BAE Systems, Newport News Shipbuilding, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Oceaneering, Seaward Marine Corporation, Tecnico Corporation, and the Virginia Ship Repair Association.

For these reasons, we request you give full and fair consideration to designate Tidewater Community College a Domestic Maritime Center of Excellence, as we believe it is uniquely capable of helping secure our nation’s talent pipeline for the domestic maritime industry.

Thank you for your consideration.

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.