Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery hosted the graduation of 132 apprentices in 21 trades considered essential in teaching skills that make them part of the shipyard workforce.
Last week’s graduation, at Noble High School in North Berwick, included 31 apprentices in the shipyard’s trades apprenticeship program and 101 in the worker skills progression program.
“To truly grasp the magnitude of that purpose, you must look beyond the daily routine and the gates of our shipyard,” said Capt. Jesse Nice, the yard’s commander. “A nuclear-powered submarine is designed to operate in the most unforgiving environment on the planet. When a crew submerges beneath the surface, facing the crushing pressure of the ocean, there is absolutely zero margin for error.”
He concluded, “The sailors aboard these boats are relying on you. Remember that every repair you make, every standard you uphold, ensures they accomplish their mission and return home safely.”
Trades apprenticeship program
The four-year trades apprenticeship program consists of trade-related instruction conducted by the yard’s training department, on-the-job learning and academic training administered jointly by Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth, N.H., and York County Community College in Wells. On-the-job learning is accomplished under the mentorship of experienced production trades workers. The combination of training and hands-on learning enables participants to become journey-level workers with a greater understanding of their craft.
The worker skills progression program is a three- to five-year apprenticeship where previous work experience and technical trade training are combined with on-the-job training to advance participants to trade-level mechanics.
Currently, the program has 1,117 participants.
