Newport News Shipbuilding Talent Acquisition has hired more than 1,200 new trades employees this year. To meet the company’s trades hiring needs, Talent Acquisition has supported more than 240 hiring and recruiting events – including in-person hiring events at the NNS Employment Office at NetCenter; events at local high schools, community colleges and trade schools; veteran and military spouse hiring events; as well as in-person and virtual job fairs.

“We’re in a tough labor market. It seems like everyone is hiring,” said Cindi Wolfe, director of HRIS and Talent Acquisition. “This truly has been a team effort from all shipbuilders to make this happen.”

“We’ve had to get creative,” said Ryan Sparks, manager of trades recruiting (K21). “In April, we started hosting open interview hiring events for X11 fitters and X18 welders every few weeks at the Employment Office. We’ve seen tremendous success with these events, with nearly 900 job offers accepted in just three months.”

NNS currently has larger hiring needs for X11 fitters and X18 welders. Pay is $21+ per hour, with $500 sign-on bonuses and up to $1,500 to relocate for trainee and entry-level positions. Pay increases with experience.

NNS employees are encouraged to share hiring opportunities. NNS employees who refer a trades job seeker who is hired could receive a $1,000 cash bonus. For more information on the REFER program, visit huntingtoningalls.com/hii-careers/refer-a-friend.