Marine Trades Trainee Programs

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Course-to-Hire Marine Trades Training (MTT) Programs

Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII, has partnered with the Virginia Ship Repair Association and local Virginia community colleges and maritime training facilities to offer several course-to-hire Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs for individuals interested in learning a trade and working full-time for Newport News Shipbuilding.

Courses are offered once a month with 6 to 15 students per class.

How It Works

APPLY for the program(s) you are interested in — candidates must be 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, and be able to work any of our three shifts. When applying you must complete the entire application and provide up to 7 years of work experience (if applicable).
Selected candidates will be scheduled for an interview, background check, drug screen and physical.
Complete the training program.
Candidates that successfully complete the training will start working for Newport News Shipbuilding full-time.

Read our FAQs

Deck Electrician Trainee Program

Two-week program (80 hours) offered at Virginia Peninsula Community College in Hampton. 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday) Deck electricians work on many electrical systems aboard the ship including lighting, power distribution, communications or navigation. Deck electricians can quickly switch between different tasks ranging from lighting and receptacle hook-ups, installing wire way racks and electrical controls, lighting maintenance, and performing preventative maintenance.

Apply

Shipfitter Trainee Program

Three-week program (120 hours) offered at Camp Community College in Suffolk, Virginia Peninsula Community College in Hampton and Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth. 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday) Shipfitters are often called “carpenters of steel.” Shipfitters weld ship ceilings, floors, hulls and walls. Experience in carpentry, construction and mechanics lends itself to a career as a shipfitter.

Apply

Machinist Trainee Program

Two-week (80 hours) program offered at Camp Community College in Suffolk. 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday) Inside machinists work in NNS shops operating various manual and CNC machines. Inside Machinists are responsible for troubleshooting operations and performing quality inspections. Outside machinists work on propellers and shafts, elevators, periscopes, missile and torpedo launchers, turbines, pumps, valves, diesel engines, air conditioning, catapults, steering gear and dive planes. Outside machinists work with various complex tools and machinery and can work indoor or outside in all climates.

Apply

Marine Coatings Trainee Program

Two-week (80 hours) program offered at Tidewater Community College in Norfolk. 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday) Nearly every element aboard a ship requires coatings. Painters are responsible for a wide variety of marine coating systems. Painters wear a respirator often and must be clean shaven daily.

Apply

Pipefitter Trainee Program

Three-week (120 hours) program offered at Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth. 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday) Pipefitters are responsible for more than 23 miles of pipe on a nuclear-powered submarine and more than 230 miles of pipe on a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. As a pipefitter, you will learn how to read blueprints, fabricate, install, inspect, and test the many piping systems onboard a ship. The ability to perform mathematical conversions is required.

Apply

Welder Trainee Program

Three-week program (120 hours) offered at Camp Community College in Suffolk, Virginia Peninsula Community College in Hampton and Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth. 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday) As a NNS welder, you will first be qualified through the shipyard’s nationally recognized welding school. Welders weld (not fabricate) using a wide range of filler metals and welding processes to perform structural and/or pipe welds in all phases of ship construction. We employ the most skilled nuclear welders in the nation.

Apply

Marine Insulator Trainee Program

Two-week (80 hours) program offered at QED Systems in Norfolk. 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday) As a NNS insulator, you will remove, repair, and install various types of insulation, including fiberglass, calcium silicate and rubatex from piping systems; ventilation systems; and various components and structures throughout the ship.

Apply

Sheet Metal Trainee Program

Two-week (80 hours) program offered at Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth. 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday)

Apply

Frequently Asked Questions

Once selected candidates complete the Newport News Shipbuilding hiring process, which includes a background investigation, drug screen and physical, they will be scheduled to participate in the next available class.

Yes, all participants will be required to purchase their own safety shoes/steel toe boots.

Yes, candidates in the MTT 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 (VSRA).

NNS requires 100% participation. However, if circumstances arise causing you to miss a class, we recommend you notify the school and instructor immediately. Absences will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

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

Candidates that successfully graduate from the MTT program will be scheduled for the next available start date, usually within one to two weeks of completing the program. However, candidates will be given select dates to choose from.

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

MTT program graduates start at pay grade 5 and will receive automatic increases per the United Steelworkers Union (USW) negotiated contract.

For questions regarding the training program, contact the school. For questions about the hiring process, including start dates, contact your NNS recruiter.