For students that are interested in getting a certification and pursuing a skilled trade have many options available for them. 

If you are interested in moving away from home and living at or near a college campus there are multiple trade schools that are set up for this. Many even provide some type of housing for students. It is worth noting that trade schools of that style tend to have a higher cost.

Some community colleges also have trade programs in things like auto mechanic or vet tech.

Laurel Ridge Community College also has a program called Workforce Solutions. Workforce Solutions is geared towards getting students trained in a high demand field quickly and then getting them to work. Many of the programs through Workforce Solutions are heavily subsidized by the state of Virginia. Many of these classes are offered one or two nights a week so a student can still hold a job while in one of these programs. 

Some local employers may also take on apprentices. This is where a company hires you and they train you as you work. It may take longer to get the official certification in a field but you are paid the whole time that you are training. 

Different Pathways