A group of educators spent a day in early November becoming immersed in all things Newport News Shipbuilding. There was a windshield tour of the shipyard and visits to facilities such as the Welding School, the Trades Training Facility and The Apprentice School.

It was the first session of a new SEEKnns-led educator immersion experience. The goal was to provide firsthand exposure to career opportunities at NNS for school administrators and instructors.

“They become ambassadors of NNS to the students, families and other educators when they go back to their respective communities,” said Gary Artybridge Jr., manager of Corporate Citizenship and Education Outreach.

Bonita Solomon, a graduation facilitator at Phoebus High School in Hampton, was among the participants. “This program was just phenomenal. It was eye opening, and I see a lot of potential,” said Solomon, whose son is a general foreman at NNS. “These are opportunities that I think are being overlooked because everybody talks college,” she said.

The 13 educators who participated in the program represented schools that SEEKnns collaborates with for the Workforce Attraction via Experienced Shipbuilders (WAVES) program.

Kelsey Forrest, a career specialist at New Horizons Regional Education Centers, said participating in the immersion program expanded upon her existing knowledge from working with WAVES. “Being here really is a whole different experience,” she said. “Being in the training facility and seeing the different aspects the new hires go through provided even more insight.”

For James Jones, an Apprentice School graduate who teaches welding at Norfolk Technical Center, visiting NNS was like a homecoming. He said he stresses the opportunities available at NNS – particularly The Apprentice School – to his students.

“We’re always looking out for the betterment of our students,” Jones said.

SEEKnns plans to host educators for the immersion program several times per school year.