Fairfax County session details ACE apprenticeship training, scholarships and application timeline

Jennifer Barra, a workforce-development specialist with Fairfax County Workforce Development, opened an in-person and streamed information session on FCPS Adult Community Education’s apprenticeship and trade-training programs, asking remote attendees to supply full names in the Teams chat for registration.

Bob, an adult community education instructor with Fairfax County Public Schools, described ACE as a training organization focused on skills development for trades (HVAC, electrical and plumbing) and related career pathways. "We're here to help you get a job," Barra said, summarizing the county office’s role in resume review, interview coaching and on-site computer resources.

The presenters emphasized that apprenticeships combine paid, on-the-job experience with classroom instruction. Bob said registered apprenticeships in Virginia include a substantial supervised on‑the‑job requirement (he cited a minimum of about 2,000 hours) and that ACE classes use a hybrid format — roughly two nights a week with about half the instruction in person and half virtual. ACE organizes trades into four levels; electrical and plumbing are semester classes that can be fast-tracked if taken consecutively.

On funding, Bob said ACE offers partial scholarships and grant opportunities and supports payment plans. He stated ACE scholarships are typically $1,000, are repeatable, and that applicants do not need to provide financial documents or undergo background checks to apply. He recommended students contact ACE about 30 days before scholarship windows open; summer scholarship applications open June 15 and the presenters described an application window that runs through Aug. 15.

Bob urged applicants to apply early, to seek employer sponsorships (employers sometimes pay remaining tuition and may hire apprentices), and offered practical advice to applicants — including a caution against submitting AI‑generated application essays because reviewers "can spot that a mile away." He said ACE also runs an optional Apprenticeship 101 course (about 80 hours) in the summer to help newcomers connect with employers; presenters said three sections were expected this year with about 20 seats per section.

The session also highlighted growth in health-care pathways: presenters noted recent EMT cohorts and upcoming veterinary and dental‑assistant offerings that have received tuition discounts (an EMT cohort previously received about $700 off). Bob said vocational and allied-health training are expanding in the area as new medical facilities come online.

During audience Q&A, a participant asked whether a Hawaii ID must be converted to a Virginia driver’s license. Bob advised obtaining Virginia identification if planning to reside locally and offered to connect the attendee with the program office to confirm details. Sultan, who identified himself as a mechanical engineer, asked about employment prospects for people without U.S. citizenship; Bob said he could not resolve immigration matters but offered to share contact referrals and action items by email, and reiterated that ACE classes do not require county residency and that scholarship applications do not include background checks.

The presentation closed with organizers saying the session was recorded (they will attempt to share the recording), and with presenters leaving business cards, flyers and a QR-coded survey for attendees to request appointments and follow-up. For more information, presenters asked interested people to email the ACE public-facing mailbox or pick up a business card at the event.

Next steps: ACE expects summer scholarship applications to open June 15 (application window June 15–Aug. 15), will run Apprenticeship 101 in multiple sections this summer, and advises prospective students to contact the program office early for individualized guidance.