Each summer, the City of Newport News’ Departments of Public Works, Vehicle and Equipment Services and Waterworks hire cadets from New Horizons Regional Education Center’s Hampton Roads Public Works Academy (HRPWA).
The HRPWA is a training organization made up of local government agencies and HRSD. One of the HRPWA’s goals is to introduce high school students to the public works and public utilities industries by arranging time for cadets to interact with 32 Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) during the two-year program and by offering paid summer internships. Some of the City’s employees participate as SMEs helping to educate cadets in all areas of the public works, stormwater, and street operations professions.
HRPWA requires students to complete a summer internship with a partnering agency. HPRWA cadets have internships that allow them to work side by side with other professionals in the Department of Public Works Building Services Division, Stormwater Division, Street Maintenance Division, and Wastewater Division. Some former HRPWA Cadets have transitioned from their internship to becoming full-time employees of the City.
Cadets can chose from many other programs at New Horizons including Automotive Technology, Construction Technology, Mechatronics (Mechatronics refers to the integration of mechanical engineering, control theory, computer science, and electronics), HVAC, Welding, Emergency Medical Technician and Information Technology. To learn more about various programs available, visit
New Horizon’s website.