Senator Tim Kaine was elected to the Senate in 2012 and serves on the Armed Services; Budget; Foreign Relations; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committees.

Tim has made boosting job opportunities for everyone a top priority. As co-chair of the bipartisan Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, Tim focuses on expanding access to job-training programs to ensure that students of all ages are prepared with the skills they need for the jobs of the modern economy. Tim has also led successful efforts in the Senate to reduce unemployment for military families and veterans.

The issue of joint employer workforces has become increasingly important in recent years, as temporary and contract workers become more prevalent in the labor market. As a VSRA member, it is essential to consider the implications of this trend on your workforce and the safety of your employees since the use of contingent labor is prevalent due to the nature of work scheduling for vessels.

The Hampton Roads Workforce Council provides strategic workforce development solutions designed to assist businesses in accessing qualified workers and job seekers in search of suitable job openings and training opportunities to bolster their earning potential. In 2019, the Workforce Council was selected as one of five recipients of the Virginia Department of Labor Women’s Bureau’s Women in Apprenticeships and Non-Traditional Occupations (WANTO) grant.

Sustaining a work injury can be a jarring event for the employee and employer. In some cases, healing and returning to work is not easy. It is estimated that 30% of injuries will result in a loss of time from work.

When the employee has developed a comfort level with being out of work, it is a big hurdle on the path to claim resolution. Research suggests that employees more than six months out of work have less than 50% chance of ever returning.

Three new member companies joined VSRA in the month of June 2023, bringing the membership total to 310. Please join us in welcoming:

North End Ships, LLC (Sole Proprietor)

Pier Side Fabrication LLC (Ship Repair Sub-Contractor)

PJG Venture LLC (Sole Proprietor)

Our 2023 VSRA Annual Member Networking Social on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at ODU's Ted Constant Convocation Center in the Big Blue Room! Was a huge success, with over 160 MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE.

We value your Membership in the Virginia Ship Repair Association and want to ensure that you're getting as much out of your Membership as possible. Therefore, we're excited to announce the return of VSRA 101! These FREE lunch-and-learn sessions will be held twice a year, and are intended to provide orientation to new VSRA Members as well as re-introduce current Members to the many benefits and initiatives of VSRA.

Registration is now open for the VSRA 27th Annual Safety & Health Seminar scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at the Ted Constant Convocation Center, Chartway Arena, ODU.  Be sure to secure your seat!  

Our partners at Tidewater Community College are in search of Maritime Structural Fitting instructors at their Skilled Trades Academy in Portsmouth.

Ensuring our community college partners have the best instructors has a tremendous impact on bringing qualified, highly skilled workers into the Ship Repair industry.

The Virginia Ship Repair Association, in partnership with the Virginia Ship Repair Foundation, conducts outreach, awareness, and advocacy activities that strengthen the ship repair industry and improve the business environment for our members. Many of our industry focused projects provide your company with opportunities to feature your leadership role in the industry and expand your company footprint through sponsorships.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF VERSION OF THE 2023 VSRA / VSRF SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE!

Many of the programs and initiatives produced by the Virginia Ship Repair Association & Foundation rely on dedicated volunteers from our membership. Your expertise helps us promote the Ship Repair Industry within the community and inform the future generation of workers about the benefits of a career in ship repair.

Virginia Wesleyan University has updated their Online No-Cost offerings:

Virginia Wesleyan University Global Campus offers comprehensive non-degree continuing education courses designed to provide advanced skill sets valued by employers. Because of COVID-19's economic impact on our communities, VWU Global Campus—in partnership with the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development—is offering the following professional development online courses at no cost.

The 37th Annual VSRF Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Cypress Point Country Club, 5340 Club Head Road, Virginia Beach, VA  23455.