Shipyard Tours News

When it comes to training, recruitment and retention issues – serious matters facing all maritime employers today – John Lotshaw probably knows better than most; what’s best for you. And, no matter what end of the maritime business model that you hail from, the challenge of hiring good people, training them and keeping them on payroll is an ongoing problem. Lotshaw joined Ingalls Shipbuilding in August of 2002 as the Director of Trades at the Avondale Site, responsible for workforce development and training and Operations support.

12 Graduate from GSSC Shipfitter Boot Camp and Have Jobs Waiting for Them. In November 2011, 18 individuals started an intensive 10-week shipfitter boot camp that was developed by the Gulf States Shipbuilders Consortium (GSSC) to prepare workers for entry-level employment in the maritime industry. Before an invitation was extended to participate in the training program, candidates completed prequalification activities that included drug testing, WorkKeys® assessments, industry presentations, shipyard tours, and interviews. On Thursday, March 1, the 12 individuals who successfully completed the pilot program participated in a graduation ceremony hosted by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) at its Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center (AMTC) in Gulfport, Mississippi.

The Shipbuilding Repair and Maritime Career Day Event 2010 was held in the Ted Constant Convocation Center on March 30 in Norfolk, Virginia. About 700 students and 70 teachers from different schools in Hampton Roads area participated in this daylong event. This year the scope of this event was extended to include maritime industry. The event offered an educational and fun-filled environment for middle and high school students to learn about various career options in shipbuilding, repair and maritime industries. The event was held from 8.00am till 3.00pm.