About
The Apprentice School—founded in 1919 at Newport News Shipbuilding—is the preeminent apprenticeship program in the nation and offers four-, five-, and eight-year apprenticeships in nineteen shipbuilding disciplines and eight advanced programs of study. The Apprentice School is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education and registered with the Virginia Apprenticeship Council. The school offers apprentices the opportunity to earn college credit, receive competitive pay and benefits and learn a trade. The school is committed to fostering apprentices’ development of craftsmanship, scholarship and leadership.
Founded in 1919
when Homer L. Ferguson issued Executive Order No. 24
10,000+ Grads
The majority of our graduates went straight into shipbuilding careers.
Accreditation
The Apprentice School is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.
7840 Roswell Road Building 300, Suite 325 Atlanta, GA 30350 Telephone: 770-396-3898 / FAX: 770-396-3790
Mission
The mission of The Apprentice School is:
To contribute to the profitability and growth of Newport News Shipbuilding by recruiting, training and developing men and women for careers in shipbuilding.
To provide the company with a continuous supply of journeypersons who possess the skills, knowledge and pride of workmanship which have traditionally distinguished the shipbuilding craftsman.
To develop core leadership principles in all students along with the character and technical competence that is required to fully meet the challenges of a shipbuilding career.
Core Values
Integrity
Integrity is at the heart of who we are and what we do. We are each personally accountable for the highest standards of ethics and integrity. We will fulfill our commitments as responsible citizens and employees. We will consistently treat customers and company resources with the respect they deserve.
Safety
We value our employees above all else and will not compromise on maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for them. We expect everyone to actively participate and take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of those around them. Employees can report safety concerns without fear of reprisal and are empowered to stop work if an operation presents significant risk or danger. We continuously evaluate and improve our operations to understand and mitigate risk.
Honesty
We are committed to being honest and fair with our customers, our employees, our stockholders and each other. We will be truthful, trustworthy and honorable in all aspects of our work.
Engagement
We are committed to an engaged workforce. Our employees are very involved in what they do and take ownership of their work and their work processes. Engagement is a heightened level of ownership where employees want to do whatever they can for the benefit of their internal and external customers, and for the success of the organization as a whole.
Responsibility
We seek and accept personal responsibility for our actions and results. We keep promises and commitments made to others. We are responsible for ensuring quality is a component of everything we do. We take pride in providing outstanding customer service.
Performance
We hold ourselves to a very high standard of performance. We are committed to improving our company performance while upholding our strong values. Superior performance and quality ensure future trust and confidence in our products. We promote continuous improvement, innovation, and creativity.
Faculty
Craft Instructors
Over 100 years ago, the school introduced the role of craft instructor to help apprentices develop the core leadership principles and craftsmanship necessary for a successful shipbuilding career. Today, almost 70 craft instructors ensure apprentices receive the training and the types of jobs they need to develop targeted skill sets, document the apprentices’ skills development and provide them with regular and consistent evaluations.
Academic Instructors
The Apprentice School’s 14 academic instructors deliver the courses in business, communications, drafting, mathematics, physics and ship construction. Academic instructors create classroom experiences to prepare apprentices for work in their shipbuilding trades, to continue their education in one of the school’s advanced programs and to further their education through Newport News Shipbuilding’s Educational Assistance Program.
Leadership Development
Apprentices become leaders in the classroom and on the waterfront through the development of The Apprentice School’s nine leadership principles:
Integrity
Commitment
Improvement
Respect
Teamwork
Empowerment
Communication
Planning
Decision Making
Graduates of The Apprentice School are well prepared to continue Newport News Shipbuilding’s long tradition of building the most complex and powerful naval vessels in the world.
Relationship to Newport News Shipbuilding
Because of the unique nature of apprenticeship, The Apprentice School and its leadership are structured within Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. Huntington Ingalls designs, builds and maintains nuclear and non-nuclear ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and provides after-market services for military ships around the globe. The Apprentice School provides quality training and education for Newport News Shipbuilding.
Programs
Apprentices complete 1,000 hours of course work in the Trade Related Education Curriculum (TREC) and World Class Shipbuilder Curriculum (WCSC). The curricula complement on-the-job training with a strong foundation in shipbuilding discipline theory and prepare apprentices to further their education.
Shipbuilding Disciplines
Coatings Specialist
Preparation and application of industrial coatings…
Electrician
Complex electrical systems, including lighting, power…
Heating and Air Conditioning
Repair and maintenance of climate-control equipment
Heavy Metal Fabricator
Creating industrial steel components…
Insulator
Learning how to minimize energy loss through efficient insulation…
Machinist
Learning the precision skill of industrial machining…
Maintenance Electrician
Repair and maintenance of electrical equipment and facilities…
Maintenance Pipefitter
Learning to repair and maintain various piping systems and facilities…
Millwright
Learning about the repair and installation of machinery…
Molder
Learning the craft of creating finished castings for metal pours…
Non-Destructive Tester
The science of inspecting materials for defects…
Outside Machinist
The installation and testing of a ship’s major machinery…
Patternmaker
Woodworking to create patterns for metal castings…
Pipefitter
Learning to install, inspect, test and operate various ship systems…
Rigger
Learning to operate cranes and other handling equipment…
Sheet Metal Worker
Learning about construction of items made with sheet metal…
Shipfitter
The structural phases of building a ship’s steel hull…
Welder
Learning the craft of welding and related aspects of shipbuilding…
Welding Equipment Repair
Welding equipment maintenance and welding basics…
Advanced Disciplines
Explore our advanced disciplines
Advanced Disciplines
Apprentices who excel in the World Class Shipbuilder Curriculum and Trades Related Education Courses and their shipbuilding discipline may be considered for an advanced discipline, where they complete strategically timed on-the-job training and academic coursework toward an associate degree offered in partnership with local community colleges.
Advanced Shipyard Operations
A four-year program with all time, except for special rotations, spent in a waterfront trade…
Cost Estimator
Estimating apprentices will evaluate customer requirements, job scope, and more…
Metrology Technician
Apprentices learn industrial measurement as well as develop accuracy control plans…
Marine Designer
Apprentices prepare a variety of engineering documents including drawings, reports…
Modeling and Simulation Program Analyst
Analysis of data to assess designs, improve processes, and make critical business decisions…
Nuclear Test Technician
Oversees all elements of reactor plant testing, mechanical and electrical, as well as to coordinate testing with trades, inspection..
Production Planner
Rotations bring experience in program planning and scheduling, work breakdown structure, operational planning, and shop floor planning…
Marine Engineer
Waterfront and engineering job rotations and coursework produce lifelong opportunities . . .
Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management apprentices will spend time in procurement groups where they will be…
Applicants must also mail official transcripts from all high schools and post secondary schools attended to: