HII Celebrates 2025 Graduates of The Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School

128 students complete the company's renowned shipbuilding apprenticeship program

Mar. 21, 2026 at 7:59pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

HII, America's largest shipbuilder, hosted commencement exercises celebrating 128 graduates of the company's Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School. The ceremony was held at Liberty Live Church in Hampton, Virginia. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon delivered the keynote address, highlighting the graduates' role in sustaining America's proud tradition of skilled workers. NNS President Kari Wilkinson also addressed the graduates as the shipyard's newest leaders.

Why it matters

The Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School has been a crucial pipeline for skilled shipbuilding talent since 1919, helping to maintain America's naval and industrial might. The graduation of 128 new apprentices represents the continued strength of this program and HII's commitment to developing the next generation of shipbuilders.

The details

The Apprentice School offers four- to eight-year, tuition-free apprenticeships in 19 trades and six optional programs. Apprentices work 40-hour weeks and are paid for all work, including time spent in academic classes. This year's graduating class includes 105 who earned an Associate of Applied Science in maritime technology degree, 69 who completed an accelerated foreman training program, and 30 who were inducted into The National Society of Leadership Success.

  • The commencement ceremony was held on March 21, 2026.
  • HII hosted U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon at the shipyard on Friday, March 20, 2026 for a tour and roundtable discussion.

The players

HII

America's largest shipbuilder, delivering the world's most powerful ships and all-domain mission technologies, including unmanned systems, to U.S. and allied defense customers.

Linda McMahon

U.S. Secretary of Education, who delivered the keynote commencement address.

Kari Wilkinson

President of Newport News Shipbuilding, who addressed the graduates as the shipyard's newest leaders.

Alex Edwards

Recipient of the Homer L. Ferguson Award, which recognizes the apprentice graduating with the highest average in combined required academic and craft grades.

The Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School

A renowned shipbuilding apprenticeship program founded in 1919 and accredited since 1982 by the Council on Occupational Education.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“On the eve of America's 250th anniversary, I am reminded of how much we have relied on skilled workers to build and sustain our nation. Today, you join that proud tradition. This path you have chosen is one of purpose, opportunity, and lasting impact, and it will help carry our country forward for generations to come.”

— Linda McMahon, U.S. Secretary of Education

“What an incredible accomplishment this day represents, and it is one deserving of the highest praise and celebration. Thank you for your commitment and your dedication and for being on this team of professionals doing the work of the nation.”

— Kari Wilkinson, President of Newport News Shipbuilding

“Each of us now has a degree that is a reminder to us that we can accomplish a goal that we commit ourselves to. My question to each of you is: What is the next goal you are going to commit to? I believe that each of us can achieve the goals we set if we commit 100 percent of ourselves to them.”

— Alex Edwards, Apprentice School Graduate

The takeaway

The graduation of 128 new apprentices from the renowned Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School demonstrates HII's continued commitment to developing the skilled workforce needed to sustain America's naval and industrial might. This program has been a crucial pipeline of talent for over a century, and these new graduates will play a vital role in carrying the country forward for generations to come.