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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 8-10 students per class.

How it Works:

  1. 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)
  2. Selected candidates will be scheduled for an interview, background check, and drug screen and physical
  3. Complete the training program
  4. 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

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 8-10 students per class.

How it Works:

  1. 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)
  2. Selected candidates will be scheduled for an interview, background check, and drug screen and physical
  3. Complete the training program
  4. 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

Ingalls Apprentice School Hero Section (1)

Deck Electrician Trainee Program

Program offered at Virginia Peninsula Community College (Hampton, VA)

2-week program (80 hours)7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday thru 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

APPLY

Ingalls Apprentice School Hero Section (1)

Shipfitter Trainee Program

Program offered at Camp Community College (Suffolk), Virginia Peninsula Community College (Hampton, VA) and Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth, VA)

3-week program (120 hours)7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday thru 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.

APPLY

Ingalls Apprentice School Hero Section (1)

Machinist Trainee Program

Program offered at Camp Community College (Suffolk, VA)

Two-week program (80 hours)7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday thru 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 and machinery and can work indoor or outside in all climates.

APPLY

Ingalls Apprentice School Hero Section (1)

Marine Coatings Trainee Program

Program offered at Tidewater Community College (Norfolk, VA)

Two-week program (80 hours)7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday thru 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.

APPLY

Ingalls Apprentice School Hero Section (1)

Pipe Fitter Trainee Program

Program offered at Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth, VA)

3-week program (120 hours)7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday thru Friday)

Pipe fitters are responsible for more than 23 MILES of pipe on a nuclear submarine and more than 230 MILES of pipe on a nuclear aircraft carrier. WOW! As a Pipe fitter, 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.

APPLY

Ingalls Apprentice School Hero Section (1)

Welder Trainee Program

Programs offered at Camp Community College (Suffolk), Virginia Peninsula Community College (Hampton, VA) and Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth, VA)

3-week program (120 hours)7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday thru 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.

APPLY

Ingalls Apprentice School Hero Section (1)

Marine Insulator Trainee Program

Program offered at QED Systems in Norfolk, VAX

One week program (40 hours)7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday thru 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.

APPLY

* $250 tuition fee is required for Marine Insulator Trainee program at QED Systems in Norfolk, VA 

Ingalls Apprentice School Hero Section (1)

Sheet Metal Trainee Program

Program offered at Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth, VA

Two-week program (80 hours)7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday thru Friday)

APPLY

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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

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).

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.

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.

A: Candidates that successfully graduate from the MTT program will be scheduled for the next available start date, usually within 1-2 weeks of completing the program. However, candidates will be given select dates to choose from.

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

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

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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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

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2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 1100
Arlington, VA 22202

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