The Apprentice School
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The Apprentice School |
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| Established | 1919 |
| Type | four-year apprenticeship program |
| Faculty | 12 academic instructors, 45 craft instructors [1] |
| Students | 725 |
| Location | Newport News, VA, USA |
| Campus | Urban/shipyard |
| Colors | Maroon and Gold |
| Mascot | Builders |
| Website | www.apprenticeschool.com |
The Apprentice School (also known as Newport News Apprentice School) is a four-year apprenticeship program in Newport News, Virginia, USA that trains students for careers in the shipbuilding industry. It is not a traditional college program in that it does not grant degrees -- associate's degrees earned by students in the program are earned through Thomas Nelson Community College -- but it does compete athletically with other small colleges.
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[edit] History
The school was established on July 1, 1919 by issue of Executive Order No. 24 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, signed by general manager Homer L. Ferguson.
[edit] Admissions
Admissions is competitive, although an exact admission rate is not known. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Monthly selection meetings are held at which all qualified applicants are considered for available openings. Offers are extended to applicants whom the Admissions Office determines to be best qualified for the openings available.
Candidates to whom an offer is extended will be scheduled for a medical examination that includes a substance abuse screening test administered by the company's Medical Department. Employment will be contingent on the results of the medical examination. Candidates to whom an offer is extended will be subject to a U.S. Government Security Investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. [2]
[edit] Academics
All apprentices are required to complete the school's World Class Shipbuilder Curriculum (WCSC) and applicable courses in the Trade Related Education Curriculum (TREC). The curriculum gives students the opportunity to earn an associate degree from Thomas Nelson Community College.
Apprenticeships are offered in 18 skilled trades:
- Heating & Air Conditioning
- Pipefitter & Pipefitter - Maintenance
- Painter-Insulator
- Outside Machinist
- Heavy Metal Fabricator
- Non-Destructive Tester (NDT)
- Shipfitter
- Welder & Welding Equipment Repair
- Dimensional Control Technician
- Machinist
- Sheet Metal Worker
- Rigger
- Electrician
- Electrician Maintenance
- Millwright
Advanced programs are offered in three trades:
- Marine Designer
- Production Planner
- Advanced Shipyard Operations
The Apprentice School was first awarded accreditation bu the Commission on Occupational Education Institutions, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1982. In 1995, it transferred its accreditation from there to the Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education
[edit] Campus
The school is physically located at the Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard. Some of the upper-level academic courses are taken at Thomas Nelson Community College.
[edit] Athletics
The Apprentice School has fielded athletic teams since its founding, but is not a college and therefore not affiliated with the NCAA or NAIA.
Its football team is a member of the Atlantic Central Football Conference, its wrestling team is a member of the National Collegiate Wrestling Association, and men's and women's basketball, men's golf and baseball are all part of the United States College Athletic Association.
