PORTSMOUTH, VA, USA, Sep 3, 2026 — A new, accelerated, hands-on training center is coming to Portsmouth this fall with a mission to help Hampton Roads employers tackle one of their biggest workforce and competitive challenges: finding and developing skilled industrial maintenance and mechatronics technicians.
Phillips Corporation, a national provider of manufacturing technology and workforce solutions, is launching Phillips Workforce, a new workforce development division focused on accelerated, employer-aligned training for industrial and manufacturing employers. The new Portsmouth facility will provide hands-on technical training designed around the equipment, systems and skills technicians need on the job — helping employers build workforce capability in weeks, rather than years.
“Employers don’t just need more people, they need people who are ready to contribute. Phillips Workforce was created to help employers develop that capability faster, with training that is hands-on, production-focused and aligned with the realities of the workplace.”— Brad Adams, Division President of Phillips Corporation – US Education
The Portsmouth Center Gives Local Companies an Edge in Addressing a Growing National Trend
The need is significant. According to a 2024 study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, the U.S. manufacturing industry could need as many as 3.8 million new employees between 2024 and 2033, with roughly 1.9 million of those jobs potentially going unfilled if workforce challenges aren’t addressed. And filling those positions is only part of the challenge — new employees can take up to 12 months to reach full productivity.
For Hampton Roads employers in shipbuilding, ship repair, defense, manufacturing, ports and other industrial operations, the challenge is particularly pressing as companies compete for skilled workers who can operate and maintain increasingly complex equipment and systems. The stakes extend beyond individual employers, given the region’s critical role in the nation’s maritime and defense infrastructure.
“Hampton Roads has long served as a maritime center of gravity, and the workforce executing the mission there stands as national security infrastructure.”— Whitney Jones, former Deputy Program Manager for the Maritime Industrial Base
Phillips Corporation was awarded a $25,000 Real Investment Property Grant from Portsmouth Economic Development in support of the new Phillips Workforce facility. The grant is part of the city’s efforts to encourage investment and economic development in Portsmouth.
Training Based on the Equipment Employers Rely On
Phillips Workforce training courses are designed for technicians who keep industrial operations running. Approximately 80% of the coursework is conducted on production-grade equipment, giving participants practical skills development in an environment that mimics real job demands. Core curriculum offerings include electrical control systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), mechanical systems, fluid power (hydraulics and pneumatics), machining essentials (manual milling and lathe fundamentals), robotics and automation, and predictive and preventive maintenance.
Training is equipment-agnostic and can be tailored to each company’s specific workforce needs, allowing employers to focus on the technical capabilities most important to their operations and timelines. Whether preparing new employees or upskilling an existing team, Phillips Workforce works directly with employers to identify capability gaps and develop training designed to strengthen operational readiness.
A Local Partnership with Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Phillips Workforce grows directly out of Phillips Corporation’s work with Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The partnership created an opportunity for hands-on knowledge transfer, with Navy maintenance personnel and Phillips technicians working side-by-side in the shipyard. Through that experience, Phillips Corporation and NNSY jointly developed a mechatronics training curriculum to supplement the shipyard’s existing apprenticeship program and accelerate the development of both apprentices and experienced personnel.
Building on that work, NNSY and Phillips Corporation plan to launch a formalized mechatronics and industrial maintenance training program this fall at the new Phillips Workforce training center in Portsmouth.
The partnership represents the type of employer-aligned training Phillips Workforce was created to deliver: training developed around real operational needs and designed to help technicians build the skills they need to contribute on the job.
Apprenticeship and Incumbent Worker Training
Phillips Workforce offers a hybrid apprenticeship program that can provide the Related Technical Instruction required for a registered apprenticeship, while Phillips Workforce manages curriculum, documentation, Department of Labor compliance and grant support. Apprentices develop hands-on skills in areas such as electrical controls, mechanical systems, fluid power, PLCs and robotics before applying those skills on the job with an employer mentor.
Phillips Workforce also participates in the Hampton Roads Workforce Council’s Hampton Roads Maritime Training System and Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Programs, which helps employers invest in the skills of their existing workforce. Eligible employers can receive partial reimbursement of eligible training costs, making it easier for companies to upskill current employees in the technical skills their operations need.
Employer Enrollment Now Open
Phillips Workforce is currently scheduling consultations with Hampton Roads employers interested in developing or strengthening their industrial maintenance and mechatronics workforce. The Portsmouth training center is scheduled to open in fall 2026, with the first training programs beginning in October.
Companies can learn more about Phillips Workforce, explore available training and schedule a consultation at phillipscorp.com/phillips-workforce/.
About Phillips Workforce
Phillips Workforce builds on Phillips Corporation’s work with the Defense Industrial Base. As a founding partner of Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM), Phillips helped design and scale a high-throughput, DoD-backed model that has successfully trained and placed over 1,000 graduates into the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) in CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and welding. Phillips Workforce extends that experience into industrial maintenance and mechatronics, areas where employers continue to face significant talent shortages. Phillips Workforce also works with organizations advancing manufacturing, defense readiness, and industrial innovation, including SME, Hampton Roads Workforce Council, Association for Manufacturing Technology, Virginia Maritime Association, Hampton Roads Alliance, Portsmouth Economic Development, and America Makes.
About Phillips Corporation
Phillips Corporation is a global leader in manufacturing solutions and services, dedicated to advancing the metalworking industry by delivering expert knowledge, innovation, and technology. We partner with manufacturers to enhance their capabilities and productivity, fostering growth and competitive advantage. With a rich history of collaboration with thought leaders and creators, Phillips aims to transform human society through significant contributions to manufacturing technology. Our commitment to excellence and sustainability positions us as the preferred partner for those shaping the future of manufacturing. Learn more about Phillips at www.phillipscorp.com.
