nns Marine Trades
Trainee Programs

course-to-hire Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs

Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII, has partnered with the Virginia Ship Repair Association and local Virginia community colleges and maritime training facilities to offer several course-to-hire Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs for individuals interested in learning a trade and working full-time for Newport News Shipbuilding.

Courses are offered once a month with six to 15 students per class.

How it Works:

Apply for the program(s) in which you are interested. Candidates must be 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, and able to work any of our three shifts. When applying, you must complete the entire application and provide up to seven years of work experience, if applicable.
Selected candidates will be scheduled for an interview, background check, and drug screen and physical.
Complete the training program.
Candidates who successfully complete the training will start working for Newport News Shipbuilding full-time.

Read our FAQs.

Focus on Values: Citizenship, Scholarship, Leadership and Craftsmanship

course-to-hire Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs

Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII, has partnered with the Virginia Ship Repair Association and local Virginia community colleges and maritime training facilities to offer several course-to-hire Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs for individuals interested in learning a trade and working full-time for Newport News Shipbuilding.

Courses are offered once a month with 6-15 students per class.

How it Works:

APPLY for the program(s) you are interested in – candidates must be 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, and be able to work any of our 3 shifts – when applying you must complete the entire application and provide up to 7 years of work experience (if applicable to you)
Selected candidates will be scheduled for an interview, background check, and drug screen and physical
Complete the training program
Candidates that successfully complete the training will start working for Newport News Shipbuilding full-time

Read our FAQs

Focus on Values: Citizenship, Scholarship, Leadership, Craftsmanship

WATCH TRAINEE PROGRAM VIDEO to learn more

Deck Electrician Trainee Program

Two-week program (80 hours) offered at Virginia Peninsula Community College in Hampton.

7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday)

Deck electricians work on many electrical systems aboard the ship including lighting, power distribution, communications or navigation. Deck electricians can quickly switch between different tasks ranging from lighting and receptacle hook-ups, installing wire way racks and electrical controls, lighting maintenance, and performing preventative maintenance

Shipfitter Trainee Program

Three-week program (120 hours) offered at Camp Community College in Suffolk, Virginia Peninsula Community College in Hampton and Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth.

7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday)

Shipfitters are often called “carpenters of steel.” Shipfitters weld ship ceilings, floors, hulls and walls. Experience in carpentry, construction and mechanics lends itself to a career as a shipfitter.

Machinist Trainee Program

Two-week (80 hours) program offered at Camp Community College in Suffolk.

7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday)

Inside machinists work in NNS shops operating various manual and CNC machines. Inside Machinists are responsible for troubleshooting operations and performing quality inspections.

Outside machinists work on propellers and shafts, elevators, periscopes, missile and torpedo launchers, turbines, pumps, valves, diesel engines, air conditioning, catapults, steering gear and dive planes. Outside machinists work with various complex tools and machinery and can work indoor or outside in all climates.

Marine Coatings Trainee Program

Two-week (80 hours) program offered at Tidewater Community College in Norfolk.

7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday)

Nearly every element aboard a ship requires coatings. Painters are responsible for a wide variety of marine coating systems. Painters wear a respirator often and must be clean shaven daily.

Pipefitter Trainee Program

Three-week (120 hours) program offered at Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth.

7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday)

Pipefitters are responsible for more than 23 miles of pipe on a nuclear-powered submarine and more than 230 miles of pipe on a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. As a pipefitter, you will learn how to read blueprints, fabricate, install, inspect, and test the many piping systems onboard a ship. The ability to perform mathematical conversions is required.

Welder Trainee Program

Three-week program (120 hours) offered at Camp Community College in Suffolk, Virginia Peninsula Community College in Hampton and Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth.

7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday)

As a NNS welder, you will first be qualified through the shipyard’s nationally recognized welding school. Welders weld (not fabricate) using a wide range of filler metals and welding processes to perform structural and/or pipe welds in all phases of ship construction. We employ the most skilled nuclear welders in the nation.

Marine Insulator Trainee Program

Two-week (80 hours) program offered at QED Systems in Norfolk.

7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday)

As a NNS insulator, you will remove, repair, and install various types of insulation, including fiberglass, calcium silicate and rubatex from piping systems; ventilation systems; and various components and structures throughout the ship.

Sheet Metal Trainee Program

Two-week program (80 hours) offered at Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth.

7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will I start classes?

A: Once selected candidates complete the Newport News Shipbuilding hiring process, which includes a background investigation, drug screen and physical, they will be scheduled to participate in the next available class.

Q: Do I need to purchase any equipment to participate in the classes?

A: Yes, all participates will be required to purchase their own safety shoes/steel toe boots.

Q: What if I’ve already completed an OSHA 10 class, do I need to take it again?

A: Yes, candidates in the MTT programs are required to complete OSHA 10 Maritime training, regardless of previous certifications or experience. OSHA 10 is offered by the Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA).

Q: What happens if I miss a class?

A: NNS requires 100% participation, however if circumstances arise causing you to miss a class, we recommend you notify the school and instructor immediately. Absences will be handled on a case by case basis.

Q: What if I don’t pass/graduate from the MTT program?

A: The original job offer from Newport News Shipbuilding will be rescinded. However, candidates are encouraged to apply for other MTT programs or entry-level positions with NNS where no experience is required.

Q: When will I start working full-time for Newport News Shipbuilding?

A: Candidates that successfully graduate from the MTT program will be scheduled for the next available start date, usually within one to two weeks of completing the program. However, candidates will be given select dates to choose from.

Q: Can I choose my work shift with Newport News Shipbuilding?

A: No, NNS work shifts are based on work production needs. You will be assigned your shift during orientation.

Q: When do we get pay increases?

A: MTT program graduates start at pay grade 5 and will receive automatic increases per the United Steelworkers Union (USW) negotiated contract.

Q: Who do I contact for questions?

A: For questions regarding the training program, please contact the school. For questions about the hiring process, including start dates, please contact your NNS recruiter.

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Corporate Locations

HII Corporate Headquarters

4101 Washington Ave.
Newport News, VA 23607

Newport News Shipbuilding

4101 Washington Ave
Newport News, VA 23607

Ingalls Shipbuilding

1000 Jerry St. Pe’ Highway
Pascagoula, MS 39568

Mission Technologies

8350 Broad Street, Suite 1400
McLean, VA 22102

HII Washington, DC

2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 1100
Arlington, VA 22202