Monica Jackson
The Commonwealth of Virginia has partnered with Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division in efforts to recruit up to 7,000 shipbuilders over the next five years.
HII said Tuesday it will coordinate with several state agencies and regional community colleges to facilitate hiring of new workers who can help build Ford-class aircraft carriers, Virginia-class submarines and Columbia-class ballistic submarines for the U.S. Navy.
The company also expects the initiative to accelerate recruitment efforts for submarine fleet support work, as well as the refueling, overhaul and defueling of Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.
“Working with government, business and educational systems ensures we have the additional resources necessary to continue our investment in our greatest resource: our people,†said Jennifer Boykin, president of Newport News Shipbuilding.
The shipyard seeks to educate current employees on how to use modern shipbuilding technology and continue to invest in HII’s facilities and technology infrastructure.
