Ten Newport News shipbuilders were among a class that recently participated in Team Submarine Program Management University, aimed at enriching knowledge of submarine design and construction, improving business acumen and honing leadership skills.

The NNS shipbuilders joined 20 classmates, 10 each from General Dynamics Electric Boat and the U.S. Navy. These classes are held twice a year, and each cohort is comprised of prospective submarine program, ship or project managers from across government and shipbuilding.

Apart from improving their professional skills, classmates build familiarity with each other and get to know leaders and subject matter experts from across the submarine enterprise.

“I have already leveraged relationships I made in the class to help clear obstacles that I have encountered in my day-to-day work,” said Kyle Griswold (O93).

Griswold cited in-depth briefings that covered threats faced by the United States around the world. “Being able to connect that to the work you do every day was really motivating,” he said.

James Tierney (O69), a superintendent in the Trades Business Office, said he had received very positive feedback from previous participants about the value of Team Submarine Management University. Since he provides support across submarine programs, the training “helped provide better perspective on the asks that I receive daily for deck plate support.”

He came away from the program ready to ensure “that my team understands the criticality of what we do every day, and how it supports the deck plate in completing our overall mission as shipbuilders.”

Sierra Ashe (O64) said the contacts she developed through the program will pay dividends in her own work. “I plan to use my new network to reach out and ask questions, and take in lessons learned from other yards,” she said.