January 15, 2026

Secure Energy Future Center Kicks Off Energy Education + Training Series in Collaboration with Southern Company Gas 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Inaugural January 14th session launches a new regional platform for energy literacy, workforce readiness, and applied learning 

Newport News, VA — The Secure Energy Future Center (SEFC) at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, successfully launched its new Energy Education + Training Series on January 14th, marking a major step forward in strengthening regional energy knowledge and workforce preparedness across Hampton Roads. 

Delivered in collaboration with Southern Company Gas, parent company of Virginia Natural Gas, the first session brought together regional economic developers, government officials, and community leaders for an in-person, expert-led deep dive into foundational energy systems. The partnership with Southern Company Gas anchors the series in real-world industry insight while reinforcing a shared commitment to talent development, infrastructure readiness, and informed regional growth.  

“Virginia Natural Gas is proud to partner with the Secure Energy Future Center on this important education and training initiative,” said Shannon O. Pierce, President and CEO of Virginia Natural Gas. “Natural gas is a cornerstone of Virginia’s energy future, fueling resilient communities, and enabling innovation. Building an energy-literate workforce is essential to advancing sustainable solutions and supporting long-term economic growth. This series provides a meaningful platform to share expertise and prepare leaders for the energy systems of tomorrow.” 

The Energy Education + Training Series blends applied industry perspective with Virginia Tech faculty expertise to provide participants with a practical understanding of how energy systems function and how they support economic development, resilience, and long-term competitiveness. Energy focus areas span Electric Power Systems, Fusion, Hydrogen, Natural Gas, Nuclear, Solar, Storage, and Wind. Participants earn digital badges for each completed session, stackable into an overarching certificate of completion. 

“This series represents exactly what SEFC was designed for,” said Chelsea Olivieri, Managing Director of SEFC at Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. “By pairing Virginia Tech-led faculty with industry experts that are in the field and responding to market needs and gaps, we are helping develop an energy literate workforce that will be ready to help the region and our Commonwealth compete in a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex energy landscape.”  

The Virginia Tech Newport News Center, part of the Division of Outreach and International Affairs, is supporting the program and leading delivery of the education and training curriculum. 

“We are proud to support the Secure Energy Future Center and its growing network of partners as this initiative continues to take shape,” said Nancy Grden, President and CEO, Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable, and support organization for the GO Virginia Region 5. “This education and training series reflects exactly the type of collaboration and forward-looking investment needed to prepare Hampton Roads for what’s next in energy, workforce development, and regional competitiveness.” 

The program is hosted in person at SEFC in Newport News on the second and fourth Wednesdays from January through April and is offered at no cost thanks to grant support from GO Virginia Region 5 and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). 

The January 14th kickoff signals the start of a growing pipeline of SEFC-led education, training, and partnership initiatives, with additional sessions and collaborations planned in the months ahead. 

About us:

The Secure Energy Future Center (SEFC) is a hub for next-generation energy solutions in a highly strategic coastal location, leveraging Hampton Roads’ unique assets to drive innovation, solve complex energy challenges, and enable strategic growth for the region, the Commonwealth, and beyond.

Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, Inc. (VTCRC), in all its locations, is where education meets business. VTCRC is a place and a paradigm at work within an ever-changing landscape. VTCRC is the wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of the Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc.

Additional sessions are now underway, with limited seats available for upcoming dates. For more information, visit our website: www.vtcrc.com/sefc 

Media Contact:  

Danielle Akers, Director of Marketing and Communications 

danielle.akers@vtcrc.com