Interested in The Apprentice School? Consider our Pre-Apprenticeship programs that can help you get prepared for a future apprenticeship. Successful participation in these programs waives your Apprentice School application fee. All programs are free to join.
Who can be a pre-apprentice? – High school juniors and seniors (public, private, and home school), Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) employees, those with Apprentice School start-dates, and anyone else who academically qualifies!
Youth Builders
Youth Builders allows high school juniors and seniors to gain exposure to shipbuilding trades, develop skills needed for acceptance into The Apprentice School, and prepare them for a future career at NNS.**You must apply in your sophomore or junior year of high school**
Apprentice EDGE
Prepare for a future at The Apprentice School with the Early Development and Guided Education (EDGE) program that is designed to help students get a head start in shipbuilding careers. Through this program, students earn credits toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Maritime Technology. **Available to anyone who academically qualifies. Must be at least a high school junior.**
Interested in more information?
Attend one of our Virtual Open Houses in 2026!
What will be discussed?
- What is The Apprentice School?
- What are the requirements to be accepted?
- What are Youth Builders and EDGE?
- How could these programs help your application to the school?
- What can you do right now?
- FORWARD tentative dates and information
