Cody Gildea (Outside Machinist Workleaderman), Class of 2024 (Pictured left)
“My experience with the apprenticeship program was amazing. If I had to do it over again, I would. I liked the idea of being paid while learning. The skills and tools I learned from the apprenticeship program helped set me up to become workleaderman.”
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Willie Fairley (Director, Construction Services and Ship Completion), Class of 2008 (Pictured second)
“When I think about my experiences with the Ingalls apprenticeship program, one word comes to mind ‘Awesome’. The apprenticeship program opened so many doors for me in my career starting with furthering my education through the waterfront co-op program where I earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. The apprenticeship program then afforded me leadership roles in both Manufacturing Services and Coatings departments. I started my career as a carpenter apprentice learning how to read a tape to now being a craft Director over Construction Services and Ship Completion. I am truly thankful for the interpersonal and tangible skills I learned working as an apprentice at Ingalls Shipbuilding.”
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Eunice Hurd (Admin Functional Support), Class of 1998 (Pictured third)
“My experience in the apprenticeship program as a Joiner/Insulator apprentice was challenging and rewarding. It gave me the capability to work and become educated as skilled first classman in my craft as well as giving me the opportunity to grow in the company. I am currently working as an Admin Function Support 3. The skills that I learned from the apprenticeship program has allowed me to participate in various job task to educate, encourage, and work in different programs with the continued growth in the training department.”
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Doug Hudson (Manager, Workforce Training), Class of 1998 (Pictured right)
“I came here with some experience as a pipe fitter helper in construction; however, I did not feel I knew enough to be a journeyman at that time. The apprenticeship program provided me with the knowledge needed to fill in the gap to be a confident journeyman pipe fitter. The apprenticeship, in my opinion, was the launching pad to my career here at Ingalls. During the program’s rotations, I was able to learn many aspects of not only my craft but of the different phases of ship construction which served me well in different levels of management in pipe department. I also got to know many people who would be instrumental in my development in the years to come. The program also got me back in “school mode” which I used to continue my education and obtain a bachelor’s degree. I felt the apprenticeship was such an important part of my career that I returned to serve as a training instructor for the program and eventually a training manager.”