The graduation ceremony for The Apprentice School’s Class of 2024 will be held Saturday, March 29, at Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton. It will be livestreamed at www.hii.com/events/apprentice-school-graduation beginning at 10 a.m.

Eighty-five apprentices make up the Class of 2024, including Travis W. Johnson, this year’s recipient of the Homer L. Ferguson Award, given annually to the graduate with the highest combined average in required academics and crafts.

Johnson began work at Newport News Shipbuilding in 2018 as a pipefitter. Two and a half years later, he enrolled in The Apprentice School to broaden his knowledge and improve his career chances.

“I knew it would allow me to go to different places throughout the shipyard and see different projects,” he said. “That would provide a lot more experience and options after graduation.”

Johnson enrolled in the school as the COVID-19 pandemic was sweeping across the country. He adapted to learning from home.

“You weren’t in a classroom,” he recalled. “It took some extra effort and focus to get those good grades.”

Today, Johnson is an X42 craft instructor and finds it rewarding to teach younger apprentices.

“It’s awesome to watch them grow their knowledge base,” he said. “They might have made a mistake when I first met them, but now it’s second nature for them to understand what the next steps are, or how jobs need to move forward. It’s really fulfilling to get to work with them every day.”

NNS President Kari Wilkinson and Xavier Beale, vice president Human Resources, will deliver remarks during the ceremony. Virginia State Sen. L. Louise Lucas will give the commencement address.