Program Overview
Pilot Program
The aquaculture, seafood, commercial fishing, and marine industry is prime for growth in GO Virginia Region 6, especially in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula as well as GO Virginia Region 5’s Eastern Shore. In 2023, Virginia Tech and Rappahannock Community College launched a pilot, Promoting Careers in Aquaculture, to help high school students gain awareness of the aquaculture industry and get hands-on experience in the field with industry partners. 13 students and 10 industry partners participated in the pilot.
In 2024, the program focused on the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula region and continued to create positive career and growth opportunities for students and industry partners. The program also included a new project element that extended to local K-12 educators to build on previous success and help to create a long-term sustainability plan. In 2025, the program will expand its reach to include the Eastern Shore and Hampton Roads.
2025 Program Timeline
February 11: Program applications due (Rolling admissions). Applicants will be notified about acceptance to the program within one business week.
Mid February, March, April: Students complete nine online learning modules.
May 11: Online learning modules due. Students will be notified about placement into Summer Program for Aquaculture Training (S.P.A.T.) class by May 16.
June 2-6: Northern Neck S.P.A.T.
June 9: Northern Neck Summer Internship Program to begin with assigned Industry Partner (Students only).
June 9-13: Middle Peninsula, Hampton Roads, and Eastern Shore S.P.A.T.
June 16: Middle Peninsula, Hampton Roads, and Eastern Shore Summer Internship Programs to begin with assigned Industry Partner (Students only).
June 16-20: Teacher Training for Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, Hampton Roads, and Eastern Shore - VT Seafood AREC, Industry Visits, Lesson Plan Prep.
June 20: Teachers Lesson plans due.
August 31: Students and teachers will be awarded their cash stipends. Students will receive a digital badge, and teachers will receive a credential with continuing education units.
Our Partners
The Promoting Careers in Aquaculture 2.0 program is funded in part by GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that strengthens and diversifies Virginia's economy and fosters the creation of higher wage jobs in strategic industries.