NNS’ Apprentice School Graduates 137 Shipbuilders

Huntington Ingalls Industries hosted commencement exercises Saturday for the company’s Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding.

The graduation, held at the Liberty Baptist Church Worship Center in Hampton, celebrated 137 apprentices representing 18 trades and four advanced programs.

Forty-four apprentices completed an optional, advanced program, and 44 apprentices graduated with honors. Seven apprentices graduated with high honors, and three graduated with highest honors. Athletic awards were presented to 18 apprentices, and eight apprentices completed their required academics with perfect 4.0 grade point averages.

Tim Owens received the Homer L. Ferguson Award for earning the highest grade point average in combined required academics and crafts. Owens, a former middle school music director, is the first patternmaker graduate in 30 years. The patternmaker program was discontinued in 1983 and recently re-established to support the shipyard’s foundry.

The Apprentice School accepts about 250 apprentices per year. The school offers four- to eight-year, tuition-free apprenticeships in 19 trades and eight optional advanced programs. Apprentices work a regular 40-hour week and are paid for all work, including time spent in academic classes. Through partnerships with Thomas Nelson Community College, Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University, The Apprentice School’s academic program provides the opportunity to earn associate degrees in business administration, engineering and engineering technology and a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering.

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Press Release, March 4, 2014