7 l 26 l 2021
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Photo by Ashley Cowan
Shipbuilders Complete Another Kennedy Milestone Shipbuilders recently installed an antenna platform on John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). The structure is part of the aircraft carrier’s combat suite and will support future satellite communications. Newport News Shipbuilding tugboat crews, shipfitters, crane operators, riggers and welders completed the installation using four barges. “Foresight and prep work were instrumental to ensure the safety of our co-workers and achieve first time quality while erecting platforms to support combat systems.” said Mike Manso, a foreman who was involved with the project. “Hats off to everyone who helped make it happen.” A crane, supported by a barge, lifted the 18-ton platform toward the ship’s port side, where shipbuilders on lift equipment aligned the structure in place. The platform was then welded onto the ship.
“The amount of barge work, number of barges, and complexity of lifting an 18-ton platform in 3-foot seas presented a number of unique challenges and safety precautions,” said Matt Perry, a construction supervisor. “We had to post watches on the bow to alert craftsmen of incoming wake from large vessels traveling along the river. These shipbuilders truly are world class. This was a showcase example of hard stuff done right.” The antenna platform installation usually happens during postshakedown availability (PSA). However, after contract revisions last year changing CVN 79’s two-phase delivery approach to a single phase, the aircraft carrier will be delivered to the Navy with its complete warfare system, including F-35 Joint Strike Fighter capabilities, before the ship is commissioned into the fleet. Watch a time-lapse video of the antenna platform installation on MyNNS.
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Apprentice School Supporting National Effort to Increase Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Newport News Shipbuilding’s Apprentice School is participating in a four-year effort to increase equity, diversity and inclusion in registered apprenticeship programs across the country. “We will be sharing our best practices,” said Dr. Latitia McCane, director of Education at The Apprentice School. U.S. Department of Labor data shows that participation and completion rates for women and minorities in registered apprenticeship programs lag. For instance, women – who make up nearly half of the U.S. labor force – comprised only about 9% of those in manufacturing apprenticeships in 2020. However, Apprentice School students are 19% female and 39% minority. “We have been successful in recruiting and retaining minority students,” McCane said. “If you have something that works, I think it’s important to share that with others to help them accelerate and get into the space they need to be in.” This work is part of a recently announced $13 million cooperative agreement from the Department of Labor awarded to Jobs for the Future (JFF), a nonprofit that works to make the nation’s workforce and education systems more equitable. The Apprentice School is one of eight strategic partners that will work with JFF to help other organizations increase equity, diversity and inclusion. Apprentice School leaders will assist organizations through a number of methods, including panel discussions, workshops and written resources. McCane also partnered with Evelyn Gregory, NNS’ manager of Ethics, Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion, for additional support and to share the company’s best practices.
Why does The Apprentice School fare so well when other programs struggle with recruitment and retention of women and minorities? McCane believes partnerships with local high schools and career and technical centers like New Horizons, preapprenticeship programs and a diverse faculty and staff contribute to the school’s success. The Apprentice School’s student experience, including championship athletics, sets it apart from others across the nation. “We’ve been intentional in our recruitment and retention processes,” she said.
Free HRT Passes Available for Shipbuilders Newport News Shipbuilding is providing Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) GoPass365 passes to employees on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost. They can be used on all HRT services, including Tide light rail, bus, ferry, VB Wave and the MAX until June 30, 2022. These nontransferable passes are for NNS employee use only. Employees interested in a pass should complete the waiver form and bring a hardcopy with them to Bldg. 103-1 (southeast corner, first office on the right) from 8 to 11 a.m. or 12:30 to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Second- and third-shift employees unable to pick up passes at the times listed above can arrange to have a representative from first shift pick up their pass on their behalf or email ParkingSolutions@hii-nns.com.
Know Your Numbers Program Underway Huntington Ingalls Industries kicked off the 2021-2022 cycle of the Know Your Numbers program earlier this month. Through the program, employees have until March 31, 2022, to complete a Know Your Numbers health screening and wellness profile.
BeWell for Life wellness program. QuadMed will offer on-site health screenings throughout Newport News Shipbuilding starting in August, and employees can schedule a no-cost health screening at the HII Family Health Center now.
Salaried employees enrolled in an HII Anthem medical plan must complete both requirements to save $600 annually on their medical insurance. Hourly employees and salaried employees not enrolled in an HII medical plan can participate on a voluntary basis to be entered into giveaways. Know Your Numbers is administered by QuadMed, operator of the HII Family Health Centers and the
All medical information associated with the program is protected by federal law restricting the release of medical information. For more information on the program, including frequently asked questions and instructions, visit www.hiibenefits.com.
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AROUND THE YARD Update to COVID-19 Policy In response to the growing spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Bill Ermatinger announced last week that waiting period pay is being offered beginning July 26 to fully vaccinated employees who test positive for COVID-19 and do not have the ability to work from home. This pay is designed to compensate fully vaccinated employees for the week (up to 40 hours) they are out of work before they are eligible for short-term disability or sickness and accident benefits. Employees who test positive for COVID-19 and are not fully vaccinated will not qualify for waiting period pay. A list of frequently asked questions has been developed to provide more information about how the waiting period pay process will work at Newport News Shipbuilding. Shipbuilders are reminded to self-report their vaccination status in UPoint, which can be accessed at www.hiibenefits.com, if they are not vaccinated or if they received their vaccination in the community. Employees who received their vaccine at NNS through QuadMed do not need to self-report. NNS will continue to reexamine COVID-19 policies implemented during the pandemic. Any additional changes or updates will be communicated to employees as decisions are made.
Featured NNS Safety Principle July’s featured NNS Safety Principle is “safety requires both management and personal ownership.” Below are examples of shipbuilders practicing this safety principle: • X36 Foreman Matthew Wiggins in involved with the X36 Safety Task Team and spends time with his team on the deckplate to reinforce the importance of safety and to set a good example. • Larry Bullock (X36) never has to be reminded of safety rules. He often takes time to correct fellow shipbuilders in his role as a make-up foreman and in his day-to-day work as a craftsman. • Apprentice Tiffany Harper (O27/X33) recalls working in a ballast tank and being approached by an X11 tank inspector. Although Harper was wearing the correct PPE, she had only one source of light – a headlight – instead of the required two because both of her hands were occupied and she couldn’t hold a flashlight. The inspector informed Harper that she should have had another source of light nearby, such as in her pocket or within arm’s reach. Harper accepted the correction, and owned up to her mistake. Look for information about August’s featured NNS Safety Principle – the best way to control a hazard is to eliminate it – in an upcoming edition of Currents.
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19
Cases reported last week: 28
Total cases at NNS: 3,637
NNS employees medically cleared to return to work: 2,982
NNS employees vaccinated: 52%
See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.
Shipbuilders Featured on “ABC World News Tonight” Three Newport News Shipbuilding employees – Darnell Prigmore, Neil Holley and Jessica Rosser – appeared on “ABC World News Tonight with David Muir” Thursday, July 22, for a segment on World War II hero Doris Miller and the aircraft carrier that will bear his name. Miller was lauded for his actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. NNS is building Doris Miller (CVN 81), the fourth Ford-class carrier and the first U.S. Navy carrier to be named for an African American. Watch the segment on Homeport or on the “ABC World News Tonight” website.
New Project Management Credential Available The Project Management Shipbuilders Association (PMSA) invites shipbuilders to check out the new Agile Hybrid Project Pro Micro-Credential from the Project Management Institute (PMI). This is a new online course paired with a nonproctored online exam that validates you have upskilled and aligned to the new PMP standards, which include agile and hybrid methodologies. PMP certification is not required, and there is no application process. Participants can take the course, pass the exam and add the digital badge to their profile and resume. This credential can help with career development and also can be used to earn 13 professional development units (PDUs) for current certified members. More information is available on the PMSA website on MyNNS under “Interested in Other PMI Certifications?” For questions, contact Mary Amparo, PMSA education and certification lead, via email.
PMSA CONGRATULATES SHIPBUILDER
The Project Management Shipbuilders Association (PMSA) congratulates Derrick Greene on becoming a newly certified Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professionals (PMP). He also was part of a PMSA pilot study group program we plan on rolling out in the fall. It will be for PMP candidates who wish to join a study group with a mentor.
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DATEBOOK JULY 26
Join FitNNS and the Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG), along with Marty Philips of the EAP program at the HII Family Health Center, for a virtual lunch and learn from 12 until 12:30 p.m. to discuss PTSD, what it is, coping mechanisms and how to support others with PTSD. Questions for the speaker are being accepted on the registration form in advance. Register on MyNNS. For more information, contact Julia Harris (O19) or Cailee Helmick (E86).
JULY 28
Join Engineering & Design and the Lean Community of Practice (CoP) from 12-12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session (VLS) on the Lean CoP. The Newport News Shipbuilding’s Lean CoP is committed to driving Lean processes as a transformational effort for Lean process improvements across the entire organization. They are the central point for sharing and sustaining Lean best practices and people-centric leadership. Sign up on MyNNS to receive a calendar invite to attend. No charge is provided. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.
AUGUST 1
Join the SHIPs Network employee resource group for a networking event at Top Golf in Virginia Beach from 6 until 9 p.m. This event is open to NNS employees only. This event is first come, first served, and there is a maximum of 60 participants. Sign up on MyNNS. For questions, contact Lewis Fisher (X46) via email.
AUGUST 11
How do you know if you’re ready to retire? Attend SmartPath’s retirement readiness webinar to determine if you’re ready for retirement and how to get there if you’re not. Visit www.onsmartpath.com/hii to register for the noon webinar.
AUGUST 16-27
Newport News Shipbuilding’s School Tools Drive supports children in local underserved communities to ensure they have the school supplies they need to start the year off strong. NNS will support five departments of social services in hopes of assisting 2,300 children in need. Shipbuilders can donate in person or use an online order option. Look for more information in future editions of Currents.
AUGUST 19
Newport News Shipbuilding employees are invited to attend a virtual information session from 5 until 6 p.m. to learn about MBA programs for working professionals offered by the College of William & Mary. RSVP by Aug. 16. NNS is an official corporate partner of the Raymond A. Mason School of Business. This partnership means tuition benefits are available through the Corporate Partnership Scholarship Program for any NNS employee who is accepted into the Executive MBA or Part-Time MBA Programs.
NOTICE: NNS to Go App Update The NNS to Go app is scheduled to undergo an update between July 30 and Aug. 1. As a result, users who have the app installed on their mobile device will need to update the version. To update the app, go into the Apple or Google Play store, select the NNS to Go app and click “update.” A push notification with this information will be sent to NNS to Go users prior to the update.
Upcoming Blood Drives Newport News Shipbuilding is hosting the following blood drives in support of the American Red Cross. A time charge will be provided for employees who donate. Blood drives will be held from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in Bldg. 520-6 (James River Room) on the following dates. • Aug. 4 • Aug. 11 • Sept. 2
AUGUST 3
• Sept. 15
Hear from New York Times bestselling author Emily Oster on how parents can make healthy decisions for themselves and their families. Register for the noon webinar from Maven, Huntington Ingalls Industries’ new fertility and maternity benefit, at www.hiibenefits.com.
To schedule an appointment, contact Natasha Eck or Sunny Lee via email.
AUGUST 5
With bullying on the rise, how do you handle it as a parent? Get tips to address school and cyber bullying from HERO: HII Employees Reach Out. Register for the noon webinar at www.hiibenefits.com.
AUGUST 9
The Engagement and Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) offices invite shipbuilders to join their monthly ED&I Together Strong Life Unites Panel Discussion Series: Fearless Progression Psychological Safety from 4:30 until 6 p.m. via Zoom. Panelists include Renee Myles (E01), Oliver Aguilar (K73), Kimberly Artis (X44), Beth Scicchitano (E46), Martin Gerald (E85) and Robin Lee (O53). This event is open to all NNS employees. Register on MyNNS. No charge will be provided. For questions, email DiversityAndInclusion@hii-nns.com.
SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS
Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.
Job Title
Req Number
Dept.
Location
Blaster (experienced) Engineer Electrical 3 Engineer Electrical 4 Engineer Electromechanical 4 Engineer Material Process 3 Engineer Mechanical 3 Insulator (experienced) Marine Coatings Trainee Marine Insulator Trainee Marine Painter (experienced) Nuclear Quality Inspector 2
8025 7952 7525 7563 7529 7055 7984 7986 7985 8048 2212
X33 E03 E11 E70 E33 E03 X33 X33 X33 X33 O39
Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News
Employees are encouraged to use MyHR or the “Current HII Employees Job Search” button at www.buildyourcareer.com to apply. The company continues to offer cash bonus awards for referrals to select positions, visit www.huntingtoningalls.com/hii-careers/refer-a-friend for more information.
Editor: Nicholas Langhorne
Contributing Writer: Lena Wallace Currents@hii-nns.com
Currents is published every Monday for employees of Newport News Shipbuilding. To submit a story, visit nns.huntingtoningalls.com/currents.
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