National Apprenticeship Day is a nationwide celebration established by the U.S. Department of Labor to recognize the importance of connecting individuals to meaningful careers and assisting employers in building a skilled workforce. This year National Apprenticeship Day moved to the spring, with its traditional weeklong celebration to resume in 2026.

“HII’s apprenticeship programs are more than just job training opportunities, they’re a powerful bridge to fulfilling a life-long career,” said Edmond Hughes, HII’s executive vice president and chief human resources officer. “We can’t win without them! Our apprentices are the foundation of our skilled workforce and each one plays a critical role in building ships to advance our national defense.”

The Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School offers four- to eight-year, tuition-free apprenticeships in 19 trades and seven optional programs. Founded in 1919 and accredited by the Council for Occupational Education, the school is certified to offer associate degrees of applied science in maritime technology in 26 educational programs. Apprentices work a 40-hour week and are paid for all work, including time spent in academic classes. In 2023, the school was selected for the U.S. Department of Labor’s apprenticeship ambassador program.

NNS and HII are committed to providing hands-on, structured training for apprentices and partnering with two- and four-year colleges and universities, as well as making investments in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at local elementary, middle and high schools.

To learn more about apprenticeships at NNS, visit as.edu.