Page 31 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2018

understand what matching funds means or how to take advantage of all the health benefits.”
Moss Point School Superintendent Dr. Shannon
Vincent Raymond says the partnership shared by the Moss Point School District and Ingalls Shipbuilding is a longstanding relationship that has recently experienced new depths. “Our students now have access to an up- to-date welding lab that is in line with the expectations of the shipyard, giving our graduates advantages that did not exist prior to this last project,” she said. “We are thankful to the entire Ingalls team for being ‘all in’ and doing ‘whatever it takes’ to ensure the continued growth of the Moss Point School District students and the community it serves.”
The labs predominantly teach welding but also include machine shop and a few general trade skills. “Welding is where we need the most numbers,” Jones said. “We’ll be hiring hundreds of welders over the next few years.”
Although Ingalls is making a monetary investment, Jones says their time is the first investment as they create a blueprint for the labs’ plan and curriculum, and
employees act as mentors for students. “It’s important for us to stay connected,” he said. “Each class has a champion who gets to know the students and ultimately will decide if someone gets hired or not. We also help the instructors and show what the industry is all about.”
An Ingalls employee of 35 years, Jones tells of offering jobs to two graduating seniors at last spring’s high school graduation. “We did it from the stage, explaining the benefits and starting pay package that came to approximately $40,000 annually for a welding apprentice. It made quite an impression with the audience,” he said.
Looking ahead, he says Ingalls is definitely considering adding other area high schools to the program. “We’ve made visits to Biloxi and
Harrison Central high
schools,” he said, “and we’ve got work
to do in Harrison, Hancock and
Stone counties.”
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