DANVILLE, Va. — A piece of U.S. naval history now stands outside a workforce training hub in Danville. The sail from the USS BuFalo has been installed on the campus of the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program in Cyber Park, 150 Slayton Avenue, near the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville.

The structure is intended as a visual reminder of the program’s mission to prepare workers for jobs supporting the construction and maintenance of naval vessels.

The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program oFers around-the-clock instruction for manufacturing careers tied to the defense industry. OScials say the goal is to train about 1,000 workers each year.

The program features a 16-week, hands-on curriculum. Graduates earn industry-recognized credentials designed to lead to employment in Welds such as welding, machining, quality control inspection and advanced manufacturing.

The initiative is a public-private partnership involving the U.S. Department of Defense, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, Danville Community College and other partners. Program graduates have received job oFers from major defense contractors, including Newport News Shipbuilding, Electric Boat and BWX Technologies.

The USS BuFalo, a Los Angeles-class submarine, was built in Newport News. Construction began in 1976, and the vessel was launched in 1982 and commissioned in 1983. It was decommissioned in 2019 after 35 years of service.

USS Buffalo sail installed at Danville training campus | Business | chathamstartribune.com