Maritime Training System Shows Strong Regional Impact
March 2, 2026
By Bob McKenna
Virginia Peninsula Chamber
The Hampton Roads Maritime Training System (HRMTS) 2025 Impact Report highlights major progress in strengthening our region’s maritime workforce.
Launched in 2024 as an initiative of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, HRMTS was designed to align employers, training providers, and workforce partners around documented industry demand.
The results are significant:
- 6,650+ workers enrolled
- 5,800+ graduates entered the workforce
- 87% completion rate across all trades
By mid-2025, nearly 6,000 trained workers had been delivered, meeting a documented need for 5,017 maritime jobs across Hampton Roads.
The Workforce Council, the region’s designated workforce development board, connects business needs with training investments to ensure measurable outcomes. HRMTS demonstrates how a coordinated, employer-driven system can close workforce gaps and strengthen regional competitiveness.