Posted on: Thursday, April 1, 2004

Shipyard seeking job trainees

Advertiser Staff

As many as 3,000 people are expected to turn out for the annual Pearl Harbor Shipyard Recruitment Job Fair, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Honolulu Community College Marine Education Training Center, 10 Sand Island Access Road.

Applications will be distributed for the shipyard's apprenticeship program, which applicants may fill out and turn in on the spot.

The shipyard will lose a large percentage of its workforce to retirements in the next five to 10 years. To minimize the impact, the apprentice program will bring on additional workers to fill vacancies in the coming years.

Work also is expected to increase as deployed vessels return.

The shipyard currently has 100 positions open.

Beginning May 17, applicants must pass a series of tests of their math and English skills before undergoing a personal interview, physical exam and security clearance.

HCC is offering workshops to help people prepare for the test, which applicants can sign up for on Saturday morning.

Five eight-hour workshops will be offered in April and May, Saturdays and week nights, before the May 17 exam. Each costs $90, which covers the cost of instruction, testing and additional materials.

Representatives from Honolulu Shipyard Inc. and the Carpenters Union also will be on hand at the job fair.

Applicants selected for the apprentice program will earn $15 an hour as they learn the trade and attend trade theory and related classes at HCC toward an AAS degree in applied trades.