NNS Celebrates Apprentice School Grand Opening

Huntington Ingalls Industries’, its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division, has officially opened its new Apprentice School, located at 3101 Washington Ave. in downtown Newport News.

Apprentices, faculty and staff were joined today by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott and Rob Wittman, Virginia Delegate Chris Jones, Newport News Mayor McKinley Price, HII President and CEO Mike Petters, NNS President Matt Mulherin, Armada Hoffler Holding Co. President and CEO Lou Haddad, and other business and community leaders at the front doors of the school for a celebratory event. A 13-foot tall bronze sculpture cast by Eastern Shore artist David H. Turner was also unveiled at the school’s entrance.

The 90,000-square foot building triples the school’s instructional space with facilities that include eight computer labs, two video teleconferencing classrooms, a physics lab and a 600-seat gymnasium. The school currently accommodates about 850 apprentices and provides office and workspace for faculty, adjunct faculty and staff.

NNS partnered with Armada Hoffler, the City of Newport News and the Commonwealth of Virginia on the project, which includes the school, workforce housing, retail space and a parking garage.

The Apprentice School accepts about 250 apprentices per year. The school offers four- to 8-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 and Tidewater Community College, The Apprentice School’s academic program provides the opportunity to earn associate degrees in business administration, engineering and engineering technology.

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Press Release, December 8, 2013