Newport News Shipbuilding anticipates needing to hire thousands of represented trade employees this year. Toward that end, NNS Talent Acquisition will be hiring job seekers who successfully complete trade trainee programs, have trade certifications, or trades work experience. Talent Acquisition will host invitation-only hiring events throughout the year to support this need.

NNS has partnered with the Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA) and several local community colleges and maritime training facilities to offer several course-to-hire Marine Trades Trainee programs (MTT).

The training courses last two to three weeks, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The free training is unpaid. Candidates who successfully complete the training will start work with NNS at more than $23 per hour. Go here for more information on the MTT programs.

Job seekers with trade certifications are encouraged to apply and may be eligible to waive the MTT training and start work with NNS after successfully completing the hiring process. To apply or learn about current job opportunities, search here by keyword “trainee.”

Two-week MTT programs:

• Deck electrician trainee – Virginia Peninsula Community College (Hampton)
• Insulator trainee – QED Systems (Norfolk)
• Machinist (inside or outside machinists) – Camp Community College (Suffolk)
• Marine coatings/painter – Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth)
• Sheet metal trainee – Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth)

Three-week MTT programs:

• Pipefitter trainee – Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth)
• Shipfitter trainee – Camp Community College (Suffolk), Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth) and Virginia Peninsula Community College (Hampton). In addition, Virginia Peninsula Community College offers an additional third-shift shipfitter trainee program from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• Welder trainee – Camp Community College (Suffolk), Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth) and Virginia Peninsula Community College (Hampton). In addition, Virginia Peninsula Community College offers an additional third shift welder trainee program from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

NNS employees are encouraged to share these opportunities and reminded that NNS employees who refer someone hired as a trade employee could earn a $1,000 employee referral cash bonus award. To refer someone, go here.