SHIPFITTER TRAINEE - COMPLETE 3 WEEKS OF FREE TRADES TRAINING 7AM-3:30PM
The Role
This position is for job seekers with no trades experience willing to complete three weeks of unpaid training in Shipfitting.
Newport News Shipbuilding 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 6-15 students per class. The Shipfitter Trainee program is offered at Camp Community College (Suffolk, VA), Virginia Peninsula Community College (Hampton, VA), or Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth, VA).
Each (UNPAID) program is 3-weeks (120 hours), 7:00am – 3:30pm (Monday thru Friday).
To learn more about the Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs and how the process works, please visit: https://hii.com/careers/nns-marine-trades-trainee-programs/.
About the role
Shipfitters, often referred to as "carpenters" of shipbuilding or "artists of steel" are essential for interpreting blueprints and plans to fabricate and assemble the steel structures of aircraft carriers and submarines. They use a variety of tools to measure, cut, grind, fit, align, and tack weld components, ranging from small parts to large sub-assemblies and super lifts that form the ship’s structural body. In addition to fabricating external structures, shipfitters construct all interior components, including hatches, doors, and bulkheads completing the steel work on the vessel.
At NNS, shipfitters undergo training and qualification at the shipyard’s state of the art welding school. Their skills will be applied in multiple locations across the shipyard including shops, concrete and metal structures, dry docks, and aboard ships in support of new construction, ship repair, and overhaul.
Responsibilities
- Perform tasks in various weather conditions, at extreme heights on scaffolding, ladders, or elevated platforms and in small, confined spaces such as tanks, compartments, or voids in a ship.
- Work in challenging conditions requiring a strong focus on safety, precision, and adaptability.
- Use a variety of tools to measure, cut, grind, fit, align, and tack weld components, ranging from small parts to large sub-assemblies and super lifts that form the ship’s structural body.
- Construct all interior components, including hatches, doors, and bulkheads completing the steel work on the vessel.
- Work at extreme heights and in small, tight, confined spaces.
- Work any shift as needed.
Requirements
- Able to pass a 3-week (UNPAID) program (120 hours), 7:00am – 3:30pm (Monday – Friday)
- Able to undergo a background investigation and drug screen
- Able to kneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb on a daily basis
- Able to lift at least 40 pounds
- Able to perform overhead work
- Able to work overtime as needed
- Able to be clean shaven to wear a respirator
- Able to work outdoors, year-round, in all weather conditions
- Able to work at extreme heights
- Able to work in small, tight, confined spaces
- Able to work any shift
- Able to take measurements or be willing to learn
Nice to have
- Willingness to undergo a background investigation and drug screen
- Able to kneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb on a daily basis
- Able to lift at least 40 pounds
- Able to perform overhead work
- Able to work overtime as needed
- Able to be clean shaven to wear a respirator
- Able to work outdoors, year-round, in all weather conditions
- Able to work at extreme heights
- Able to work in small, tight, confined spaces
- Able to work any shift
- Able to take measurements or be willing to learn