Defense Manufacturing Project Reaches Significant Graduation Milestone at National Level
Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) Celebrates 1,000th Program Completer
The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program, based in Danville, Virginia, has reached a significant milestone by training its 1,000th student. The program, which focuses on increasing U.S. military equipment production, has been instrumental in equipping individuals with the necessary skills to repair, upfit, and build submarines.
Created to support defense manufacturing initiatives and supply workers for the maritime industrial base, ATDM offers a 16-week intensive workforce training program. The comprehensive curriculum covers in-demand skilled trades such as Additive Manufacturing, CNC Machining, Non-Destructive Testing, Quality Control Inspection (Metrology), and Welding.
The program is hosted by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Virginia. IALR's major footprint is within Southern Virginia, including several counties and cities.
ATDM graduates complete 600 hours of intensive, hands-on training and earn certifications in one of five high-demand defense industry skilled trades. These certifications open the door to well-paying jobs within the defense industry, with employers actively recruiting ATDM graduates.
Glenn Claypool, the 1,000th program completer, shared his experience, stating, "I have met individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, life experiences, education levels, and career paths at ATDM." Claypool, who completed a bachelor's degree in business management before joining ATDM, pursued certification in non-destructive testing after joining the program.
ATDM partners with over 200 employers across the United States for job placement and job training. The program boasts an 85% employment rate for completers within a month of finishing the program.
For more information about ATDM, visit atdm.org, and for more information about the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, visit www.ialr.org.
- The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program, which covers in-demand skilled trades like Additive Manufacturing and Welding, is a significant player in both defense manufacturing and personal growth.
- ATDM graduates, like Glenn Claypool who recently completed the program, earn certifications in high-demand defense industry trades and have access to well-paying jobs due to strong employer interest.
- The program's comprehensive data-and-cloud-computing infrastructure allows it to offer online education in various skills-training areas, making learning accessible to a wide range of individuals.
- As a part of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), ATDM plays a crucial role in career development by providing opportunities for personal growth and industry advancement.
- Apart from training individuals for U.S. military equipment production, the program also facilitates education-and-self-development within the broader defense industry, contributing to technological advancements.
- The ATDM program, serving as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Virginia, is now partnering with over 200 employers across the United States for job placement and training, with an impressive 85% employment rate for completers within a month of finishing the program.
- By offering a unique combination of defense industry education, hands-on training, and connections to leading employers, ATDM is paving the way for further growth and innovation in the field, particularly in finance and the wider technology sector.
