Newport News Shipbuilding Charleston Operations recently hosted a two-day welding summit, during which NNS welders instructed 29 high school seniors.

During the summit, weld instructors covered topics such as safety, metal, materials, equipment and weld processes used at the South Carolina facility, as well as career opportunities available at NNS. Participants – who all had at least two years of welding experience as part of their high school curriculum – were then outfitted in PPE and welded using some of the processes while instructors evaluated, coached and developed them.

Jared Bell (C200) served as one of the weld instructors. “Having the students report here at a specific time and ready to work, tour the facility, collaborate with instructors and shipbuilders from the floor, and have the opportunity to show off their skills gives them a sense of exactly what they can expect when they hire on here,” he said.

The summit closed with a formal celebration on May 10. Attendees included school district personnel, administration and faculty, as well as friends and family. As a part of the celebration, the 29 students received job offers from NNS Charleston Operations.

An additional 12 students who did not participate in the summit, but have maintained relationships with NNS during their high school careers, also received offers.

The 41 seniors represented seven different schools across three counties.

“That’s pretty amazing and I know the students were appreciative,” said Bell.