3 l 29 l 2021
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
A New Approach to Training Photo by Ashley Cowan
X32 apprentices at Newport News Shipbuilding are building mockups that will provide a realistic environment for many of the same apprentices to learn about outfitting work on submarines and aircraft carriers. The mock-ups – two compartments that are 8 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet high – were built from scratch and contain similar structural components to a ship. Each mock-up has a workbench, and they will share a welding machine. “We’ve been using the actual build process to train apprentices. We have a couple who are further along, but most of the apprentices are at about the six-month mark, so building these is a huge undertaking for them,” said Apprentice Craft Instructor Sam Shoun.
Once construction is complete, X33 apprentices will paint and O43 apprentices will install shipboard-style lights. The mock-ups can be repurposed and used for a training on a variety of work, including installing and removing ventilation or nonstructural bulkheads. They also will give apprentices practice with awkward welding positions, learning how to level and other skills. Located in the X32 Apprentice Gallery in Bldg. 5, the mock-ups are taking over the footprint of two of the final sheet metal pattern tables in the shipyard. That skill largely has been replaced by technology such as computer-aided design (CAD) programs and digitizers. Shoun and other apprentice instructors are confident this new style resource will supplement fabrication-focused training and help reduce the time-to-talent for new apprentices when they get to shipboard locations. CONTINUED ON PG 2
HII Celebrates 10 Years Huntington Ingalls Industries is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week. HII was formed on March 31, 2011, combining Newport News Shipbuilding and Ingalls Shipbuilding to become America’s largest shipbuilding company. Today, HII is Fortune 400 company with 42,000 employees. While the company continues to build ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, it also has become a primary player in the Department of Energy arena and unmanned maritime markets.
Huntington Ingalls Industries is headquartered at VASCIC in Newport News.
Visit huntingtoningalls.com/anniversary to learn more about the company’s anniversary. Shipbuilders should also look for a special anniversary ad in Wednesday’s Daily Press and special coverage on HII social media channels.