Media Advisory — Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School to Host Commencement Ceremony for 2025 Graduates
Rhea-AI Summary
HII (NYSE: HII) Newport News Shipbuilding will host commencement for the Apprentice School class of 2025 on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 10 a.m. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon will deliver the commencement address. Media must RSVP by noon March 20 and check in by 9:30 a.m.
The ceremony is not open to the general public but will be livestreamed. The Apprentice School accepts more than 200 apprentices annually and offers tuition-free, paid four- to eight-year apprenticeships in 19 trades, plus accredited associate degrees in maritime technology.
Positive
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Negative
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News Market Reaction – HII
On the day this news was published, HII declined 1.21%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
HII was up 0.28% while key aerospace & defense peers like DRS, AVAV, KTOS, ERJ and WWD showed negative moves between -0.54% and -2.82%, indicating stock-specific trading rather than a sector-wide move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-12 | Labor agreement | Positive | +0.2% | New collective bargaining agreements with significant wage growth through 2031. |
| 2026-03-03 | Program milestone | Positive | -0.8% | Keel authentication marking official start of construction for LPD 32. |
| 2026-02-17 | AI partnership | Positive | -0.2% | MOU with Path Robotics to integrate physical AI welding in shipbuilding. |
| 2026-02-11 | AI event advisory | Positive | -1.7% | Media advisory for Path Robotics AI welding demonstration and MOU signing. |
| 2026-02-11 | STEM grants | Positive | -1.7% | Announcement of $95,700 in STEM grants to 22 schools and organizations. |
Recent HII news has mostly been operationally positive, yet four of the last five announcements saw negative next-day moves, suggesting a tendency for modest downside or muted reactions to positive headlines.
Over the past month, HII reported labor, production and community milestones. On 2026-03-12, Ingalls’ collective bargaining units ratified agreements with base wage increases of 18% and total growth of 35–47% through 2031, with a small +0.21% price reaction. Keel authentication for LPD 32 and multiple AI/Path Robotics collaborations were followed by modest declines. A $95,700 STEM grant announcement also coincided with a -1.67% move. Today’s training-focused advisory fits this pattern of operational updates with limited stock impact.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights HII’s workforce pipeline, with the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School graduating its 2025 class. The school accepts more than 200 apprentices per year, offers four- to eight-year tuition-free apprenticeships across 19 trades and six optional programs, and provides paid 40-hour weeks including class time. In context of recent labor agreements and STEM grants, it underscores a sustained focus on talent development that could influence long-term shipbuilding capacity and execution quality.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., March 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
| What: | HII’s (NYSE: HII) Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division will host commencement exercises for the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School’s class of 2025 graduates. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon will provide the commencement address. Members of the news media are invited to attend the graduation ceremony. This event is NOT open to the general public, but will be livestreamed: https://hii.com/events/apprentice-school-graduation/ |
| When: | 10 a.m., Saturday, March 21 |
| (media must check-in by 9:30 a.m.) | |
| Where: | Liberty Live Church |
| 1021 Big Bethel Road | |
| Hampton, Virginia, 23666 | |
| RSVP: | Confirmation of media attendance is required; we are not able to accommodate outlets who do not register in advance. Please RSVP by noon on Friday, March 20 to: |
| Todd Corillo | |
| Todd.T.Corillo@hii-co.com | |
| (757) 688-3220 | |
| Details: | The Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School accepts more than 200 apprentices per year. The school offers four- to eight-year, tuition-free apprenticeships in 19 trades and six optional programs. Accredited by the Council for Occupational Education, the school is certified to offer associates degrees of applied science in maritime technology. Apprentices work a 40-hour week and are paid for all work, including time spent in academic classes. |
About HII
HII is America’s largest shipbuilder, delivering the world’s most powerful ships and all-domain mission technologies, including unmanned systems, to U.S. and allied defense customers. HII is the largest producer of unmanned underwater vehicles for the U.S. Navy and the world.
With a more than 140-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII builds and integrates defense capabilities extending from the core fleet to C6ISR, AI/ML, EW and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII’s workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit:
- HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/
- HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII
- HII on X: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII
- HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII
- HII on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/WeAreHII
FAQ
When is HII (NYSE: HII) hosting the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School commencement ceremony?
Who will give the commencement address at the HII (HII) Apprentice School graduation on March 21, 2026?
How can media and investors access the HII (NYSE: HII) Apprentice School graduation event if they cannot attend in person?
What are the RSVP and media check-in requirements for the HII (HII) Apprentice School commencement?
What training and credentials does the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School offer according to HII?
