HAMPTON, Va. — As the Navy builds towards a 355-ship fleet in decades to come, there will always be a need for skilled workers. That's where the Hampton City School system's new Maritime Academy at Hampton High School will come in.
They cut the ribbon today to mark the official opening of the academy, which provides 10th, 11th and 12th graders the academic and technical courses needed for successful transition to post-secondary education, careers, and registered apprenticeship opportunities in shipbuilding and repair, as well as ship design.
"The Maritime Academy provides a unique opportunity for students to really get in and understand what the ship repair and shipbuilding industry has to offer," said Barbara Washer of the Virginia Ship Repair Association. "It's a huge industry here in our area. They are great careers, stable, great pay, great benefits. They are careers where people can provide for their families."
Academy students are fired up about what the future could hold for them.
"I'm learning all the stuff I need for a job in the future," said Elijah Twitchell.
"How I feel about this academy?" wondered Shanice Cooper. "It's a really good program for kids like me to get into, especially if you don't know what you want to do, but this is something that could push you forward."
The Maritime Academy community partners are BAE Systems, Colonna's Shipyard, Fairlead, General Dynamics NASSCO Norfolk, Hampton City Council, The School Board of the City of Hampton, HII - Newport News Shipbuilding, Lyon Shipyard, OnPoint LLC, Southeast Maritime and Transportation (SMART) Center, Tecnico Corporation, the Apprentice School, the Mariner's Museum and Park, Virginia Ship Repair Association and Virginia Ship Repair Foundation.