Commission hears plan to create maritime career pipeline linking Portsmouth Public Schools, industry and Portsmouth At Work

Councilman Hugo introduced representatives from Portsmouth Public Schools and the Virginia Maritime Association to brief the commission on an employment-pipeline concept that would bring maritime supply-chain career exposure to Portsmouth students.

Dr. Nicole de Vries, Chief Academic Officer for Portsmouth Public Schools, said the district is revamping its middle-school model to include a seventh-grade career-exploration experience and that a maritime-focused exposure event could be a natural fit and a springboard to high-school pathways and certificates. "We feel like there's no better opportunity than now because we are in the middle of revamping our middle school model to include a seventh grade experience that all students will go through related to career exploration," Dr. de Vries said.

Sheila, workforce development director for the Virginia Maritime Association, described VMA’s new role in connecting school divisions to maritime employers and said the industry offers a range of jobs beyond traditional trades, including HR, marketing and IT. Portsmouth At Work representatives emphasized the need to bridge classroom training to paid employment and apprenticeships, and asked the commission to use its employer networks and possible sponsorship resources to help convert training into credentialed jobs.

Speakers said the initiative is still informational; no formal action was requested. Staff and partners said timing would most likely push an initial program into the fall once school-year logistics are finalized. Commissioners expressed support and asked staff to return with more concrete proposals, including cost estimates, scope and a timeline for pilot activities.

What’s next: partners will continue to design the program, identify employer partners and return to the commission with a proposal that may include requests for financial sponsorship or in-kind support.