Marine Trades Training Programs

Already an HII employee? Search internal jobs

Train with Purpose

Newport News Shipbuilding partners with the Virginia Ship Repair Association, local community colleges and maritime training facilities to offer hands-on training opportunities that lead to full-time careers at NNS. The program offers focused training in small groups, with courses offered once a month with six to 15 students per class.

See Yourself Here:

Two-week program (80 hours) As a deck electrician, you will play a vital role in the installation, repair, overhaul and operational testing of the electrical systems on aircraft carriers and submarines. These shipbuilders perform a wide variety of tasks, ranging from lighting and receptacle hook-ups, installing wire way racks and electrical controls, lighting maintenance, and performing preventative maintenance.

Three-week program (120 hours) As an outside machinist, you’ll operate various tooling and machinery supporting critical component and system installations. You’ll have the opportunity to work on propellers and shafting, elevators, periscopes, missile and torpedo launchers, turbines, pumps, valves, diesel engines, air conditioning, catapults and other propulsion system components. Success in this trade requires aptitude in precision measurements, basic math, ability to read and understand blueprints, as well as critical thinking. Note: This training is for outside machinists. Training for CNC or inside machinists is available through the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) Program in Danville, Virginia.

Two-week program (80 hours) As a marine painter, you’ll select and apply a diverse range of marine coating systems. These coatings protect steel and other surfaces from rust and corrosion, prevent marine life attachment on underwater surfaces, and enhance the ship’s overall appearance. In addition to modern paint techniques, you may work with power coating, non-skid and other special hull treatments.

Two-week program (80 hours) As an insulator, you’ll remove, repair and install various types of insulation – including fiberglass, calcium silicate, and rubatex materials. This work ensures thermal efficiency, noise reduction and safety of piping systems, ventilation systems and other structural elements on aircraft carriers and submarines.

Three-week program (120 hours) As a pipefitter, you’ll fabricate, assemble and install complex piping systems, valves, components and hangers in support of aircraft carrier and submarine construction. Pipefitters ensure piping systems are properly aligned, secured and tested to meet safety, quality and performance standards. Success in this trade requires aptitude in precision measurements, basic math, ability to read and understand blueprints, as well as critical thinking.

Two-week program (80 hours) As a sheet metal worker, you’ll fabricate, assemble and install a wide variety of components – including ventilation systems, metal joiner bulkheads, framing, furniture, cabinetry, lockers, ladders, handrails, foundations and weapons spaces. These shipbuilders use a variety of hand tools and power equipment.

Three-week program (120 hours) As a shipfitter, you’ll fabricate, assemble and install components that form the structural body of an aircraft carrier or submarine. You will work from written instructions and digital drawings to ensure hull sections, bulkheads, decks and other structural areas of the ship are properly aligned and secured.

Three-week program (120 hours) As a welder, you’ll use a variety of welding filler metals and processes to perform structural and pipe welds throughout all phases of aircraft carrier and submarine construction. Newport News Shipbuilding welders begin their careers by qualifying though our state-of-the-art welding school.

Ready to take the next step?

Candidates must be 18 years or older, U.S. citizens and able to work any of our three shifts. Be sure to complete the entire application and provide up to seven years of work experience (if applicable). Here is how it works:

Apply to one of the training programs above.
Select candidates will be scheduled for an interview, background check, drug screen and physical.
Complete the training program.
Join us as a full-time shipbuilder at Newport News Shipbuilding!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are selected and have completed the Newport News Shipbuilding hiring process, which includes a background check, drug screening and physical, an admissions officer from the corresponding program site will contact you by phone or email. A representative of the Virginia Ship Repair Association (VRSA) and/or the Hampton Roads Workforce Council (HRWC) may also contact you. You will then be scheduled to participate in the next available class.

Yes, all participants are required to purchase their own steel-toed shoes.

Yes, candidates in the Marine Trades Training programs are required to complete OSHA 10 Maritime training, regardless of previous certifications or experience. OSHA 10 is offered by the Virginia Ship Repair Association.

Newport News Shipbuilding requires 100% participation. However, if circumstances happen causing you to miss a class, we recommend you notify the school and instructor immediately. Absences are handled on a case-by-case basis.

The original job offer from Newport News Shipbuilding will be withdrawn. However, candidates are encouraged to apply for other Marine Trades Training programs or entry-level positions with NNS, where no experience is required.

Successful candidates will be scheduled for the next available start date, usually within one to two weeks of completing the program. Candidates are provided select dates to choose from.

No, work shifts are based on work production needs. You will be assigned your shift during orientation.

Shipbuilders who successfully complete an Marine Trades Training program will receive automatic increases per the United Steelworkers (USW) negotiated contract.

For questions about the training program, contact the school. For questions about the hiring process, including start dates, contact your Newport News Shipbuilding recruiter.