Newport News Shipbuilding employees visited the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond last week, meeting with key lawmakers to discuss state initiatives of importance to the shipyard.

Workforce development was a key theme as shipbuilders gathered in legislators’ offices to press their case. In the coming years, NNS will need to hire thousands in the skilled trades to keep pace with construction demands for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines.

It was a busy day at the State Capitol, as the shipyard delegation arrived. The 2024 session kicked off Jan. 10 and will run for 60 days. During that time, lawmakers will consider some 3,000 bills and craft a two-year budget.

”With the fast pace and heavy volume of legislation being considered, shipbuilders visiting the General Assembly cut through the noise and help legislators understand how NNS’ priorities impact their constituents,” said Jon Ward, government relations representative who organized the visit.

The shipbuilders divided into groups to meet as many lawmakers as possible, concentrating on those who represent Hampton Roads.

“I think this was important because we are the largest industrial employer in Virginia,” said Dr. Alicia Uzzle, a training manager. “There is nothing like face time.”

Agreeing was Paul Lindgren, director of Facilities and Real Estate. “We handed them our priorities, which could have been emailed,” he said. “That would not have had the same impact as a personal visit.”

“I felt they were not only receptive, they were excited to hear from the shipbuilders,” said Lauren Jones, a talent acquisition representative.

NNS employees were joined for the visits by representatives of key Virginia-based suppliers and a representative of the Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base office to call attention to the impact of the larger defense industrial base in Virginia.

Although local lawmakers voiced unwavering support for NNS priorities, they said one challenge will be to educate other delegates and senators about the shipyard’s priorities. The most recent election cycle produced a historic number of freshmen lawmakers who are attending the General Assembly for the first time.

Among the measures on the NNS agenda:

• Providing more support for community colleges offering workforce credentials and trainees seeking credentials.
• Assessing the critical need for a proposed Hampton Roads trades training center of excellence.
• Standardizing ability of high school students to earn credit for noncredit workforce credentials.
• Economic development opportunities for communities like downtown Newport News that have a significant presence of military personnel.

After wrapping up their visits, the NNS employees heard from state officials, including Craig Crenshaw, the Virginia secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs; and Carrie Roth, the director of the Virginia Department of Workforce Development & Advancement. Crenshaw, whose father worked in shipyards in Florida and elsewhere, said he understood the need to expand the pool of men and women in the skilled trades.

“Workforce development is the centerpiece of Virginia’s economic revitalization,” he said. “We are very proud to be the home of Newport News Shipbuilding.”