4 | 11 | 2022
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
High school students from Newport News and Hampton had hands-on experiences at NNS during spring break.
Students Explore Shipbuilding Careers During Spring Break High school students from Newport News and Hampton spent part of their spring break last week at Newport News Shipbuilding learning about career opportunities at the shipyard and The Apprentice School.
USS Thresher (SSN 593) is shown at sea in July 1961. U.S. Navy photo
Lest We Forget Sunday marked a day no shipbuilder should ever forget – the 59th anniversary of the tragic sinking of USS Thresher (SSN 593). On April 10, 1963, the submarine was executing a deep dive test off the coast of New England during sea trials when it lost communications with the surface and never reemerged, ending the lives of all 129 officers, crew and civilians on board. Although Thresher was not built by Newport News Shipbuilding, the company reflects on the tragedy each year because it demonstrates the importance of first-time quality and learning from mistakes. “From one shipbuilder to another, I ask that you never forget Thresher and always remember the significance of our mission,” NNS President Jennifer Boykin wrote in an email to employees. Shipbuilders are encouraged to watch a video on MyNNS or the NNS to Go app featuring Milton Archila (X42), Carly Cole (E03) and Carvus Hopkins (K46/X33). In the video, the shipbuilders reflect on the Thresher tragedy and how it influences their work.
Keeping Shipbuilders Safe Longtime shipbuilder Bill Berger, an O43 mechanical foreman, leads a crew of shipbuilders tasked with working on equipment across the North Yard at Newport News Shipbuilding. “We work on all the production equipment in the North Yard,” he said. “We’re climbing on presses, climbing in pits, going
into confined spaces and going into blast cabinets. We’re all over everything.” In this line of work, injuries are always a possibility. That’s why Berger – who ruptured two discs in his back as a craftsman in the 1990s – is particularly focused on his crew’s safety. CONTINUED ON PG 2
The event was part of a pilot program to provide experiences for high school students to help bolster the trades workforce pipeline at NNS. “This great opportunity gave our students exposure, including hands-on experiences, to the trades offered within the shipyard,” said Lenise Cowling, program administrator for the Governor’s STEM and University Magnet Program at Heritage High School in Newport News. Students visited the Trades Training Facility for hands-on experiences. The program also included hands-on demos and simulations in the fields of design, laser scanning, painting, welding, electrical, CNC machining, sheet metal, inspection, pipefitting and hydraulics in The Apprentice School gym. Jessica Walker, an Apprentice School craft instructor, was among the shipbuilders leading demos with students. She said events like these are vital because they give students the opportunity to learn about, see and experience the different trades. Many students were surprised to find out how much technology is involved in shipbuilding. “Their mindset prior to coming in here is that there isn’t much technology,” Walker said. “When they come in here and see how much technology we actually use to build these ships, they’re definitely wowed.”
CONTINUED ON PG 2