Huntington Ingalls opens Apprentice School in Newport News

Huntington Ingalls Industries has officially opened its new Apprentice School in downtown Newport News.

The 90,000-square foot building triples the school's instructional space. It includes eight computer labs, two video teleconferencing classrooms, a physics lab and a 600-seat gymnasium. The school accommodates about 850 apprentices in addition to  providing office and workspace for faculty, adjunct faculty and staff.

Newport News Shipbuilding, a Huntington Ingalls subsidiary, partnered with Armada Hoffler, the City of Newport News and the Commonwealth of Virginia on a revitalization project, which includes the school, workforce housing, retail space and a parking garage.

The Apprentice School accepts about 250 apprentices per year. The school offers four- to 8-year, tuition-free apprenticeships in 19 trades and eight optional advanced programs.

Apprentices work a regular 40-hour week and are paid for all work, including time spent in academic classes. Through partnerships with Thomas Nelson Community College and Tidewater Community College, The Apprentice School's academic program provides the opportunity to earn associate degrees in business administration, engineering and engineering technology.