(NORFOLK, Va.) — Colonna’s Shipyard celebrated the opening of its new Trades Training Building last week, marking a major investment in workforce development and regional industry innovation. The project is part of Colonna’s ongoing commitment to reinvest in its facilities and people, following more than $150 million in infrastructure and workforce investments since 2016.
The new 9,000-square-foot facility, located on the company’s Norfolk campus, will serve as a dedicated space for hands-on training, safety instruction, and skill development for current employees and future apprentices.
“This new trades building isn’t just a structure – it’s a statement,” said Randall Crutchfield, chairman and CEO of Colonna’s Shipyard. “It’s a visible investment in the skilled men and women who power our shipyard, our community, and our nation’s industrial base. Each beam, door, and crane represent a promise – that American craftsmanship and maritime strength will continue to thrive right here at home.”
The facility includes an aircraft hangar-style door, a 10-ton bridge crane, dual jib cranes, reinforced concrete flooring, and industrial ventilation and safety systems. It also integrates fiber optic connectivity and high-voltage power systems to support modern ship repair and fabrication training needs.
Local and national leaders joined Colonna’s leadership, employees and apprentices for the Oct. 31 ribbon-cutting ceremony, underscoring the shipyard’s continued role in supporting regional economic growth and maritime readiness.
“Colonna’s Shipyard is instrumental to Hampton Roads’ ship repair industry, and I appreciate the many skilled trade workers here who play a vital role in our local maritime industrial base,” U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, R–Va.
– Colonna’s Shipyard
