2025 Rappahannock County High School graduate Jared Loving used Laurel Ridge’s Trades Academy as a jumping-off point to get into a premier apprenticeship program that lets him earn while he learns.
He started attending The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding in April. According to a 2016 U.S. News and World Report article, only about 6 percent of applicants are accepted into the school’s programs.
While still in high school, Loving completed the Trades Academy at Laurel Ridge. The first semester of his senior year he completed HVAC Level 1, and during the second he completed Plumbing Level 1.
“I liked it,” Loving said of the academy. “I enjoy that kind of work. I met a lot of people. There were so many good opportunities with getting jobs because they brought in companies to interview us. I had multiple different companies trying to hire me right out of high school.”
Loving, who worked with Renewable Energy Solutions after graduating high school but before leaving for Newport News, said he always knew he wanted to work in the trades, and after taking the HVAC courses at Laurel Ridge, decided that was the area he wanted to stick with. He took a tour of The Apprentice School his senior year.
“I didn’t even think I had a chance of getting in,” said Loving. “I think having the Trades Academy on my resume looked good.
“At the Apprentice School, I get paid five days a week while I’m down there. Three of the days, I’m doing in-the-field training at the shipyard. The other two days, I’m taking college classes and I’m getting a two-year degree in applied science. Even when I’m in the classroom, I’m still getting paid.”
When he completes his four-year apprenticeship, Loving will have a journeyman’s license, as well as a security license.
“I’m hoping to get all my licensing and then come back up north and work for government facilities since I’ll have a security clearance,” he said. “I’m very excited.”
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.