A group of Newport News Shipbuilding engineers and designers recently had a taste of what it is like to build the systems they design during a welding expo. The event was for E70 shipbuilders who design structures and steam plant systems on Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers.
The expo included visual aids and hands-on activities – including the Welding School’s virtual reality welding simulator.
“We found that this kind of hands-on training is the best way for our designers and engineers who have to provide these deliverables to the yard to really get an appreciation for what the craftspeople are going to have to deal with,” said Ginny Matalevich, the E70 manager for Steam Plant Engineering and Design. “It gives them an understanding of why it is so important to design it well.”
Heather Goerger (E70) was among the employees who attended the expo. A longtime shipbuilder, she said the interactive activities could help newer employees learn about welding.
“Using the products – even if it’s not the real thing – to see exactly how it works is a good experience,” she said. “Just reading about something can get mundane and doesn’t necessarily ingrain it in your mind the way a hands-on activity can.”
Ralph Washburn (E70) helped to run one of the activities for attendees. He said this type of face-to-face interaction is important.
“It’s just good to have that back-and-forth communication,” he said.
With positive feedback from attendees and leaders, Matalevich said another expo – which may be open to even more engineering groups – is possible in the future.
