Veteran students interested in using VA benefits toward workforce training have several opportunities available. The college cooperates with the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and the North Carolina State Approving Agency in assisting eligible veterans/dependents with their education benefits.

Not all courses in Workforce Development are approved for use with VA benefits. Workforce Development students interested in using their VA benefits with a Workforce Development course must work with the Veterans Affairs office to ensure that their Veteran benefits are current and they have all necessary paperwork. Students using their VA benefits will not be allowed to register to Workforce Development VA-approved courses until they have been approved by the Veterans Affairs office.

Students may contact our School Certifying Official's office at 252-638-7231 or visit Craven CC’s Military Resource webpage for more information regarding all military benefits.

Visit our Transcripts page for information on submitting your Joint Service Transcripts (JST) and other military transcripts.

Course Descriptions

Workforce Development has the following courses approved for use with Veterans Benefits:

Barbering Concepts: Are you looking for a career that helps people look their best? Barbering Concepts will assist you in becoming a professional barber-stylist. Full-time and part-time programs are available to accommodate your schedule and require no prior experience. When you complete the 1,528 clock hour course, you’ll be prepared to take the North Carolina Board of Barbering Examiners exam to qualify as an apprentice. The 1528 hours are completed over 3 to 4 semesters/terms. Scholarships are available.

CDL Truck Driver Training: Our 350-hour Commercial Driver License (CDL) program offers Class A options that will provide you with an excellent foundation for a truck driving career. You will be tested thoroughly on the road and through written exams to ensure that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully and safely operate commercial vehicles.

The program meets the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration standards of specialized training in the areas of driver qualification, hours of service, driver wellness, and whistleblower protection for entry-level drivers who are subject to the requirements (49 CFR Part 380).

If you’re a new driver, you’ll receive training for the North Carolina State Commercial Truck Driving License examination. All training instruction is provided at school facilities and in school-provided equipment. Free practice tests are also available.

The Class A CDL course provides training on inspecting and operating tractor-trailers and assuming driving responsibilities on the road. Emphasis is placed on vehicle inspections, defensive driving, range maneuvers, motor carrier safety regulations and certification, and trip planning.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant: The 128-hour Aviation Maintenance course is designed to prepare individuals with civilian or military airframe and powerplant experience for the Federal Aviation Certification of Airframe and Powerplant Technician. Coupling classroom discussions and shop exercises, the individual will become competent in the Airframe or Powerplant phase of Certification in F.A.A. Regulated Aircraft Maintenance.

NCCER HVAC Level 1: This 197.5-hour course is broken down into topics including HVAC operations, maintenance, and troubleshooting of residential and light commercial heating/cooling systems. You’ll also use diagnostic tools and procedures to identify problems and establish operating efficiency in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and standards. By the end of the course, you’ll earn your National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) HVAC Technology Level 1 certificate.

NCCER HVAC Level 2 In this 175-hour course, You’ll learn more about the concepts from Level 1, as well as key content including: commercial airside systems, chimneys, vents, flues, introduction to hydronic systems, air quality equipment, leak detection, evacuation, recovery, and charging, alternating current, basic electronics, introduction to control circuit troubleshooting, troubleshooting gas heating, troubleshooting cooling, heat pumps, basic installation and maintenance practices, sheet metal duct systems, and fiberglass and flexible duct systems. By the end of the course, you’ll earn your National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) HVAC Technology Level 2 certificate.

NCCER HVAC Level 3 In this 167.5-hour course, you’ll learn more about the concepts from Levels 1 and 2, as well as key content including: fasteners, hardware, and wiring terminations, control circuit and motor troubleshooting cooling, troubleshooting heat pumps, troubleshooting gas and oil heating, troubleshooting accessories, zoning, ductless, and variable refrigerant flow systems, commercial hydronic systems, steam systems, retail refrigeration system, and customer relations.

NCCER HVAC Level 4: In this 157.5-hour course, you will expound on concepts and techniques taught in Levels 1 through 3. You’ll learn key concepts and techniques in Water Treatment, Indoor Air Quality, Energy Conservation Equipment, Building Management Systems, System Air Balancing, Construction Drawings and Specifications, Heating and Cooling System Design, Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Systems, Alternative and Specialized Heating and Cooling Systems, and Fundamentals of Crew Leadership.

NCCER Plumbing Level 1: This 222.5-hour course is broken down into topics including: introduction to the plumbing profession, plumbing safety, tools of the plumbing trade, introduction to plumbing math, introduction to plumbing drawings, plastic pipe and fittings, copper pipe and fittings, cast-iron pipe and fittings, carbon steel pipe and fittings, introduction to plumbing fixtures, introduction to water distribution systems, and introduction to drain, waste, and vent (DWV) systems. All students will receive 72.5 clock hours of Core Curriculum. When you complete the program, you'll receive National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certification for Plumbing Level 1.

NCCER Plumbing Level 2: This 175-hour course is broken down into topics including: plumbing math two, reading commercial drawings, structural penetrations, insulation, fire stopping, installing and testing DWV piping, installing and testing water supply piping, types of valves, installing fixtures and valves, installing water heaters, basic electricity, fuel gas and fuel oil systems, and installing roof, floor, and area drains.

NCCER Plumbing Level 3: This 160-hour course is broken down into topics including: applied math, sizing water supply piping, potable water treatment, backflow preventers, types of venting, sizing DWV and storm systems, sewage pumps and sump pumps, corrosive-resistant waste piping, and compressed air.

NCCER Welding Level 1 & 2: In this 590-hour course, students will receive NCCER Level 1 and Level 2 training. Students will learn Welding Safety, Blue Print Reading, Construction Math, Material Handling, Oxyfuel Cutting, Plasma Cutting, Air-Carbon Arc Cutting, Base Metal Preparation, Weld Quality, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), SMAW Beads and Fillet Welding, Joint Fit-Up and Alignment, SMAW Groove Welds with Backing, Welding Symbols, Physical Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Metals, Preheating and Post heating of Metals, and Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG & TIG). When the student successfully completes the program, he or she will receive National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certifications for Welding Level 1 and Level 2.

NCCER Welding Level 1: This 362.5-hour course is broken down into topics including: general safety, common hazards, oxyfuel, plasma arc, air carbon arc, base metals, joint design, quality workmanship, codes, SMAW, and electrodes. When you complete the program, you’ll receive National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certification for Welding Level 1.

NCCER Welding Level 2: This 227.5-hour course is broken down into topics including: welding symbols, reading welding detail drawings, physical characteristics and mechanical properties of metals, preheating and post heating of metals, uses of different filler metals and gases, and GMAW (MIG), flux core arc welding, and GTAW (TIG) set up. The NCCER Level 2 class can be taken prior to the NCCER Level 1 Class. You must pass written exams with a 70% or higher and complete all performance evaluations. When you complete the program, you’ll receive National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certification for Welding Level 2.

NCCER Welding Level 3: This 470-hour course is broken down into topics including: Flux Core Welding (GMA), GMAW and FCAW equipment and filler metals, GMAW & FMAC Plate, FCAW-Pipe, GTAW-Pipe, GTAW-low alloy and stainless steel pipe, SMAW-open root pipe welds. Students will receive instruction through lecture, demonstration and practical applications. When you complete the program, you’ll receive National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certification for Welding Level 3.

NCCER Welding Level 4: This 172.5-hour course provides classroom and hands-on training in GMAW – Aluminum Plate, GTAW — Aluminum Plate, GTAW – Aluminum Pipe, GMAW — Aluminum Pipe, and Soldering and Brazing. Students will receive instruction through lecture, demonstration and practical applications. When you complete the program, you’ll receive National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certification for Welding Level 4.

Class Schedule for Academic Year 2023-2024

Below is a list of VA-approved courses for the 2023-24 academic year. Please click on the link to view upcoming classes.

Chapter Questions

Do you have questions about which chapter you're eligible for? While we cannot officially advise you on which chapter to choose, we'd be happy to speak with you about it and help you understand your options.

If you need official advising on selecting the chapter that best fits your situation, please contact the Department of VA Education Office at 1-888-442-4551 or visit va.gov/education.

Contact Information

New Bern Campus
Barker Hall
252-638-7231

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