Huntington Ingalls Industries' Apprentice Schools Participate in White House Summit on Apprenticeship

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Sept. 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries HII announced today that representatives from the company's apprentice schools, The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding and the Haley Reeves Barbour Maritime Training Academy at Ingalls Shipbuilding, participated this week in the White House Summit on Apprenticeship. The event brought together employers, community colleges, non-profits, labor leaders and others who are helping to promote apprenticeships across the country.

Everett Jordan, director of education at Newport News' Apprentice School, participated in a congressional panel on the topic following the summit. Jordan was among five apprenticeship leaders who were invited to provide a brief overview of their programs and address questions from members of Congress and their staff. Garry Mercer, Ingalls' manager of the apprentice program, also attended the summit.

"It was encouraging for experts on apprenticeship to be convened for the summit and to hear members of President Obama's cabinet and Vice President Biden articulate the importance of expanding apprenticeships across our great nation," Jordan said.

The White House Summit on Apprenticeship is focused on creating a core set of national, industry-specific apprenticeship training models and building momentum for more youth apprenticeships. The attendees were among 140 organizations who have signed on to be ApprenticeshipUSA Leaders. The U.S. Department of Labor also announced during the event a new National Apprenticeship Week, which will begin Nov. 2.

"America was built on the skills these apprentices are learning today, and Ingalls is proud to play a part in that effort," Mercer said. "These skills are timeless and vital to the future of our country. It's an honor to be included with this large contingent of apprenticeship leaders at this summit."

The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding accepts about 225 apprentices per year. The school offers four- to eight-year, tuition-free apprenticeships in 19 trades and eight optional advanced programs. Apprentices work a 40-hour week and are paid for all work, including time spent in academic classes. Through partnerships with Thomas Nelson Community College, Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University, The Apprentice School's academic program provides the opportunity to earn associate degrees in business administration, engineering and engineering technology and bachelor's degrees in mechanical or electrical engineering.

The Haley Reeves Barbour Maritime Training Academy at Ingalls Shipbuilding accepts over 200 apprentices per year. The school offers two- to four-year, tuition-free apprenticeships in 13 trades. Apprentices work a 40-hour week and are paid for all work, including three of the four hours spent in academic classes. Through partnership with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, The Apprentice School's academic program provides the opportunity to earn an associate's degree in maritime technology or a bachelor's of science degree in applied technology.

Huntington Ingalls Industries is America's largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of manufacturing, engineering and management services to the commercial and non-commercial energy, oil and gas markets. For more than a century, HII's Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs approximately 38,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit:

• HII on the web: www.huntingtoningalls.com
• HII on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HuntingtonIngallsIndustries
• HII on Twitter: twitter.com/hiindustries