Over on East Bank, the future of the workforce is taking shape inside Ingalls’ Training Center and Virtual Reality Welding Lab, where new shipbuilders are learning the fundamentals of welding before ever stepping into a live booth.
In the latest episode of Inside Ingalls, get a look inside one of the most advanced training environments for welding in the country.
We sat down with Preston Bosarge, project manager, Workforce Training & Development to talk about the technology and training helping shape the next generation of skilled shipbuilders at Ingalls.
“They get about ten times the experience here,” Preston said. “They learn body positioning, speed, angle — skills they can hone so they hit the ground running when they get into a real welding booth.”
With state-of-the-art technology, shipbuilders can develop welding skills in a safe, controlled environment while building confidence and muscle memory before moving into real-world settings.
“When someone who’s never done this before begins to pick it up, and they may feel intimidated at first, it’s incredible to watch the moment when it clicks and they realize they can do it,” said Preston. “That moment still excites me.”