Under clear blue skies, the 2007 class accepted certificates from the Navy and the U.S. Department of Labor and received words of congratulation from guest speakers that included three members of Hawai'i's Congressional delegation: U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye and Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono.

Inouye congratulated the graduates in the keynote address, noting the program's competitive nature and adding that Pearl Harbor's success "starts with a strategic location, but most importantly, it ends with you."

After being chosen from among 2,000 applicants, members of the 2007 class attended a rigorous four-year program and completed at least 7,200 hours of training. Each apprentice also earned an associate's degree from Honolulu Community College, where 89 percent made it to the honor roll.

After completing the program requirements, the apprentices become journeymen and join more than 4,000 other apprentices, journeymen and professionals working for the largest industrial employer in the state.

Danny Iranon, 35, from Waikele, was presented with an award for his work as a plastic fabricator apprentice during the ceremony, which took place on Pearl Harbor's parade grounds.

"The program is a good opportunity to make a better, more stable life, to raise a family and buy a house," said Iranon, who has three children.