GO Virginia has awarded a $431,575 grant to help address a regional shortage of machinists and expand workforce opportunities in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.

The funding supports a new handson CNC machining training program that will align with regional demand to address workforce gaps. The project is driven by a partnership led by Rappahannock Community College, Lancaster County, and Turn Dynamics.

CNC, or computer numerical control, machining is a subtractive manufacturing process in which computer‑controlled machines cut, shape, and finish metal or other materials with extremely high precision. It allows manufacturers to repeatedly produce complex parts.

Turn Dynamics, based in Kilmarnock, manufactures precision‑machined components for clients in sectors including the defense, firearms, aerospace and medical industry. The company has reported a pressing need for trained machinists to sustain current operations and support future expansion.

“The biggest hurdle for us was the lack of trained machinists in our local area,” said Turn Dynamics co-owner Doug Bishoff. “We knew we needed not only a training program, but also a way to introduce young people to modern manufacturing as a viable and rewarding career path.”

With the new funding, a CNC Training Center will be established in Lancaster County, offering a 180‑hour, hands-on curriculum covering precision measurement, shop math, safety, metal cutting, quality control, and CNC equipment operation. Turn Dynamics, which specializes in CNC Swiss screw machining, will provide equipment, expertise, and real-world learning opportunities including internships and job shadowing.

Participants will be able to earn National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) credentials, nationally recognized certifications that support immediate employment and are considered portable and valued across the country.

“This project is a direct response to what our local employers are telling us,” said RCC President Dr. Shannon Kennedy. “By working closely with Turn Dynamics and Lancaster County, we are creating a program that prepares students for in-demand careers while supporting the long-term growth of our regional economy.”

The total cost of the CNC machining program offered through RCC is $673,816. The GO Virginia grant covers the majority of the investment, with $242,241 in matching funds contributed by regional partners including the RCC Educational Foundation, Lancaster County Economic Development Authority, Gloucester, West Point, Northumberland, King and Queen, Lancaster, and Middlesex.

“In our early conversations with Turn Dynamics, it became clear that their ability to grow was directly tied to access to skilled workers,” said John Bateman, Economic Development Director and Assistant County Administrator for Lancaster County. “This project is about aligning education, industry, and workforce resources to meet both current and future demand. It’s a model for how we can build a sustainable, home-grown talent pipeline.”

“We are excited to be partnering with Rappahannock Community College, Lancaster County, VA Government, and GO Virginia Region 6 to get this program off the ground and help continue to build the workforce in and around the Northern Neck of Virginia,” Turn Dynamics stated.