Welder​/Structural Trainee - Complete Trades Training

WELDER/STRUCTURAL TRAINEE - COMPLETE 3 WEEKS OF FREE TRADES TRAINING

Join to apply for the WELDER/STRUCTURAL TRAINEE - COMPLETE 3 WEEKS OF FREE TRADES TRAINING role at HII

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Join to apply for the WELDER/STRUCTURAL TRAINEE - COMPLETE 3 WEEKS OF FREE TRADES TRAINING role at HII

This position is for job seekers with no trades experience willing to complete three weeks of unpaid training in the Welder trade. Newport News Shipbuilding has partnered with the Virginia Ship Repair Association, local Virginia community colleges and maritime training facilities to offer Marine Trades Training (MTT) programs. The Welding trainee program is offered once a month with 8-10 students per class and is held at Virginia Peninsula Community College (Hampton, VA), Tidewater Community College (Portsmouth, VA), or Camp Community College (Suffolk, VA).

Each UNPAID program is 3-weeks (120 hours), 7:00am – 3:30pm (Monday thru Friday).

As a welder, you will begin your career by qualifying through the shipyard’s start‑of‑the‑art welding school. Upon completion, you will use a variety of welding filler metals and processes to perform structural and pipe welds throughout all phases of ship construction. Welders are responsible for tack, fillet, and full penetration welding on steel foundations, as well as structural and pipe joints for aircraft carriers and submarines.

Welders will employ various welding processes including SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding), FCAW (Flux Cored Arc Welding), GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding), and GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding), and perform welding in all positions using both manual and mechanized techniques. All work will meet stringent nondestructive testing requirements, including visual inspection, ultrasonic inspection, and radiographic inspection. Additionally, welders will receive further training in certified visual inspection, fire watch protocols, carbon arcing, and troubleshooting minor welding equipment issues.

Working at Newport News Shipbuilding often involves performing tasks in various weather conditions, at extreme heights on scaffolding, ladders, or elevated platforms and in small, confined spaces such as tanks, compartments, or voids in a ship. These environments require a strong focus on safety, precision, and adaptability, as well as physical agility and comfort working in challenging conditions.

• Pass a 3‑week (UNPAID) program (120 hours), 7:00am – 3:30pm (Monday – Friday)
• Willing to undergo a background investigation and drug screen
• Pass a physical agility test
• Be able to kneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb on a daily basis
• Be able to lift at least 40 pounds
• Be able to perform overhead work
• Be able to work overtime as needed
• Be able to be clean shaven to wear a respirator
• Be able to perform work outdoors, year‑round, in all weather conditions
• Be able to work at extreme heights
• Be able to work in small, tight, confined spaces
• Willing to work any shift

• High school graduate or equivalent preferred.

• Internship

• Full‑time

• Management and Manufacturing

• Defense and Space Manufacturing

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. U.S. Citizenship may be required for certain positions.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to  and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e‑mail address.

Additionally, you may also call for assistance. Press #2 for Newport News Shipbuilding.