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
Working at Newport News Shipbuilding often involves performing 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. These environments require a strong focus on safety, precision, and adaptability, as well as physical agility and comfort working in challenging conditions.
Requirements
- Must be able to pass a 3-week (UNPAID) program (120 hours), 7:00am – 3:30pm (Monday – Friday)
- Must be willing to undergo a background investigation and drug screen
- Must be able to kneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb on a daily basis
- Must be able to lift at least 40 pounds
- Must be able to perform overhead work
- Must be able to work overtime as needed
- Must be able to be clean shaven to wear a respirator
- Must be able to perform work outdoors, year-round, in all weather conditions
- Must be able to work at extreme heights
- Must be able to work in small, tight, confined spaces
- Must be willing to work any shift
- Must be able to take measurements or be willing to learn
Nice to Have
- Must be able to pass a 3-week (UNPAID) program (120 hours), 7:00am – 3:30pm (Monday – Friday)
- Must be willing to undergo a background investigation and drug screen
- Must be able to kneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb on a daily basis
- Must be able to lift at least 40 pounds
- Must be able to perform overhead work
- Must be able to work overtime as needed
- Must be able to be clean shaven to wear a respirator
- Must be able to perform work outdoors, year-round, in all weather conditions
- Must be able to work at extreme heights
- Must be able to work in small, tight, confined spaces
- Must be willing to work any shift
- Must be able to take measurements or be willing to learn
Qualifications
- Must be able to pass a 3-week (UNPAID) program (120 hours), 7:00am – 3:30pm (Monday – Friday)
- Must be willing to undergo a background investigation and drug screen
- Must be able to kneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb on a daily basis
- Must be able to lift at least 40 pounds
- Must be able to perform overhead work
- Must be able to work overtime as needed
- Must be able to be clean shaven to wear a respirator
- Must be able to perform work outdoors, year-round, in all weather conditions
- Must be able to work at extreme heights
- Must be able to work in small, tight, confined spaces
- Must be willing to work any shift
- Must be able to take measurements or be willing to learn
Skills
- Must be able to pass a 3-week (UNPAID) program (120 hours), 7:00am – 3:30pm (Monday – Friday)
- Must be willing to undergo a background investigation and drug screen
- Must be able to kneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb on a daily basis
- Must be able to lift at least 40 pounds
- Must be able to perform overhead work
- Must be able to work overtime as needed
- Must be able to be clean shaven to wear a respirator
- Must be able to perform work outdoors, year-round, in all weather conditions
- Must be able to work at extreme heights
- Must be able to work in small, tight, confined spaces
- Must be willing to work any shift
- Must be able to take measurements or be willing to learn
Benefits
- Must be able to pass a 3-week (UNPAID) program (120 hours), 7:00am – 3:30pm (Monday – Friday)
- Must be willing to undergo a background investigation and drug screen
- Must be able to kneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb on a daily basis
- Must be able to lift at least 40 pounds
- Must be able to perform overhead work
- Must be able to work overtime as needed
- Must be able to be clean shaven to wear a respirator
- Must be able to perform work outdoors, year-round, in all weather conditions
- Must be able to work at extreme heights
- Must be able to work in small, tight, confined spaces
- Must be willing to work any shift
- Must be able to take measurements or be willing to learn
Pay
The anticipated salary range represents the estimated base pay for this role. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors, and may vary from the posted range.
Schedule
Shift: Multiple