Learning center brings accelerated training to NNSY

Theme: PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT

LEARNING CENTER BRINGS ACCELERATED TRAINING TO NNSY

BY ANNA TAYLOR • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST PHOTOS BY SHAYNE HENSLEY • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER

A Shop 26 mechanic using the pulse arc welding process on the submarine radial frames of the NNSY Learning Center #1 Mock Up.

A new training facility in Bldg. 163 provides a high-velocity learning environment to accelerate the change at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

Learning Center #1, formerly known as the Multipurpose MockUp, provides hands-on training for various jobs shipyard workers may encounter.

The learning center is a fixed structure, but the interior, which is designed to look like a surface craft and submarine hybrid, is fullycustomizable and made to be used by different shops and codes.

Depending on the scenario, mechanics, engineers and inspectors could all be involved in a simulated evolution, which includes planning and tear-down.

The learning center gives new workers a place to learn and provides veteran mechanics a place to hone their skills and refresh old techniques.

“Some mechanics may not totally understand the shipyard’s process,” said Scott Saunders, Code 920 Surface Ship Director. “So we can send them to the learning center to learn how to do things 10 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • APRIL 2016

Left: Jimmy Cooke, Shop 17 mechanic; Byron Pate, CTDL; Pete Cheeseman, Shop 11 Work Leader; Mike Young, Shop 11 subject matter expert.

Below left: Matt Belli and Pate inside a tank.

A Shop 26 new hire using the sheet metal arc welding process in one of the CTD weld booths

before sending them to the waterfront.”

The need for Learning Center #1 comes from the projected workload arriving in 2017 and 2018 combined with the Chief of Naval Operations’ challenge to accelerate learning at all levels. By training multiple shops and codes, the learning center can mirror all facets of waterfront projects to instill sound fundamental work integration and processes.

“We call our contacts in the Engineering and Planning Department (Code 200), they’ll send some of their new engineers to write the technical work documents, and then we’ll give the work to a welder or a mechanic,” said Saunders. “A lot of the work will require inspection, so we can get new inspectors learning the quality assurance side, too.”

Shipyard Commander Capt. Scott Brown is dedicated to creating an elite learning facility at America’s Shipyard, and Learning Center #1 is part of the transition to an institutionalized and coordinated production training effort.

“We want to train folks the right way, to make sure they

understand the processes and requirements,” said Jeff Saniano, Shop 26 Deputy Superintendent. “The majority of work gets done on the waterfront and Learning Center #1 is where new employees, not just Code 920, are going to learn how to work a job from start to finish.”

Instructors and subject matter experts will evaluate employees as they work in the learning center, which provides a proactive approach to training and resource management.

“Learning Center #1 provides a facility for hands-on training where mechanics from all trades can take what they learned in a classroom or on the waterfront and put it to use,” said Byron Pate, Code 920 Continuous Training and Development Lead. “Mechanics are the most important assets we have, so we want to make sure they are performing where they need to be. We are here to help them.”

Much of the learning center’s success will be attributed to its flexibility and safe-to-fail environment, which means mistakes won’t jeopardize any fleet assets and mechanics will feel confident to test their limits.

“We can build in anomalies to see how well they are handled,” said Saunders. “When you bring them through the learning center, you remove the different variations in on-the-job training. We know they are all trained to the same standard.”

APRIL 2016 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 11