The Virginia Ship Repair Foundation had its origin in 1979. Corporate officers of the individual private sector shipyards in South Hampton Roads jointly established a training facility named the Tidewater Maritime Training Institute (TMTI). The Institute was incorporated in 1981 as a non-profit, tax exempt, educational institution (IRS 501(c)3). TMTI was founded to provide training for the ship repair industry in Hampton Roads, Virginia. In 2006, TMTI changed its name to the Virginia Ship Repair Foundation (VSRF) whose mission is to attract more qualified workers to the ship repair industry and help member companies improve their incumbent worker qualifications. VSRF directly supports Virginia Ship Repair Association members.
VSRF is focused on Strengthening the Ship Repair Industry:
- By evaluating and researching new innovations and programs that might add value to members;
- By promoting the economic and national contribution of the industry to the community;
- By reaching out to future generations of the workforce;
- By providing Members opportunities to contribute to programs that directly enhance their business.
VSRF has over 100 Industry volunteers that directly reach more than 5,000 students annually, provides recognition and support to new and incumbent trade professionals and raises more than $80,000 annually to support programming.
Here are some of the programs the VSRF currently supports:
Norfolk Technical Center Guest Welder Program
Annual Lego Ship Repair Design Competition
Annual Jr. and Sr. Tradesmen of the Year Award
Career Days
Free Website Job Board
Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser
Training Library
Develop Training Courses
Free On-Line Directory for Technical Programs
WHRO American Graduate Program
Community Programs (ex. Elizabeth River Learning Barge)