The Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement has been awarded $302,536 from GO Virginia’s Competitive Fund for a project titled Promoting Careers in Aquaculture 2.0.

The funding is expected to benefit residents of Gloucester, Mathews, as well as other localities in GO Virginia’s Regions 5 and 6.

With the funding, Virginia Tech, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School and Rappahannock, Eastern Shore, and Virginia Peninsula Community Colleges, will work to address the aquaculture industry’s need for skilled, dedicated employees, said a press release.

Students will be trained through online learning modules, topped off with a one-week, hands-on education submersion summer course. They will then be placed with local industry partners for 75-hour internships.

The project is an expansion of the Promoting Careers in Aquaculture pilot program led by Rappahannock Community College, said the release. It seeks to create positive career and growth op...