TRIDENT Refit Facility, Kings Bay Apprenticeship Program
Overview
TRIDENT Refit Facility's mission is to provide quality industrial and logistics support for the incremental overhaul, modernization, and repair of TRIDENT submarines and to provide global submarine supply support.
The command also provides maintenance and support services to other submarines, regional maintenance customers, and other activities as requested.
The TRIREFFAC workforce consists of approximately 2,000 military and civilian men and women working in a variety of trades supporting submarine and ship repair and maintenance.
While the bulk of its workload is associated with the repair of TRIDENT submarines, the team also provides maintenance and support services to other class submarines, regional maintenance customers, and the TRIDENT Planned Equipment Replacement (TRIPER) program.
TRIDENT Refit Facility also supports the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Charleston, SC. with repairs to pumps, valves, motor generators, turbines, and hatches on the moored training ship located there.
It also serves as the Southeast Regional Repair Center for small optics. Command personnel also repair pumps and small boats.
The TRIDENT Planned Equipment Replacement Program (TRIPER) provides incremental maintenance of various submarine components. TRIREFFAC's supply department is essential for accomplishment of the TRIDENT submarine mission as it provides total integrated logistical supply support to attack and United Kingdom submarines, regional maintenance customers, and other activities as requested.
The command is composed of an industrial area, waterfront support complex, Defensive Ordnance Support Facility (DOSF), and Magnetic Silencing Facility (MSF).
It boasts the largest covered dry dock in the Northern hemisphere. Measuring 700 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 67 feet deep, the dry dock is a marvel. Three pumps with the capability to move 72,000 gallons of water per minute flood and drain the dry dock for maintenance operations. At its capacity, the dry dock holds 31.5 million gallons of water.
The DOSF, which maintains and stores torpedoes carried by TRIDENT submarines, includes defense weapons facility buildings, storage magazines, and maintenance buildings.
TRIDENT Refit Facility's state-of-the-art MSF provides degaussing services to TRIDENT, fast attack, and United Kingdom submarines, as well as steel hull surface craft. TRIREFFAC's MSF is the only facility of its kind on the East Coast. A high-tech "drive-in" procedure is employed when bringing ships into the MSF, which saves time and reduces the cost of this essential evolution. The MSF is also used for research for development of future magnetic systems.
About the Program
TRIDENT Refit Facility's Apprenticeship Program is a four-year accredited Federal Department of Labor program that combines college courses, trade specific training courses, and on-the-job work experience to produce a skilled craftsman upon completion. All college courses are taken while in a paid status with the potential for evening classes. All academic costs (tuition, books and fees) are paid in full, provided the student earns a grade of "C" or better upon class completion. Apprentice average starting pay is $17.82 per hour with the potential to make up to $35.87 per hour upon graduation from the program. The apprentice is eligible for all benefits such as vacation, medical, retirement, and the Thrift Savings Plan (retirement savings plan). Apprentices are initially employed at the pay rate of WT-01 and receive promotions about every 6 months upon completion of program requirements. Upon graduation, apprentices are converted to the journeyman level of their respective trade.
Apprentices are hired into Federal Civil Service (Civilian) positions associated with the maintenance, repair and modernization of the United States Navy submarine force.
Apprentice are hired into a variety of trades including:
- Marine Machinery Mechanic
- Machinist
- Electrician
- Pipefitter
- Rigger
- Tile and Plate Setter
- Sheet Metal Mechanic
- Fabric Worker
- Shipwright
- Instrument Mechanic
- Rubber and Plastics Fabricator
- Insulator
- Shipfitter
- Painter
- Welder
- Electronics Mechanic
- Non-Destructive Test Inspector
For those selected to the TRIREFFAC-KB Apprentice Program: The first three (2) years are equally divided between trade skill training and taking college classes, which leads to a Technical Certificate of Credit in Naval Maintenance. Some trades will take additional classes and may receive a Naval Electrician Technical Certificate of Credit or Machinist Technical Certificate of Credit.
After successful completion of College and trade courses, emphasis shifts from academics to specific skill training on the job, leading toward the apprentice achieving journey level certifications through the Department of Labor and Department of Navy.
Upon completion, candidates are converted from apprentices to journeyman level in their respective trades.
Careers & Job Outlook
The Department of the Navy fully funds student tuition for employed apprentices at each of the participating activities.
Apprentices are paid on a federal wage grade trainee (WT) scale basis, initially as WT-01 at $17.82 per hour on average. Everyone hired into the program starts as a WT-01 and progresses through the wage schedule at the same rate regardless of previous experience. Outstanding performers in trade and academics may petition for up to 3 months early completion of the program. Apprentices receive promotions every 26 weeks so long as they meet the requirements for promotion at the end of each promotion period.
Wage Scale
APPRENTICE PAY (2023)
THIS WAGE SCALE IS FOR TRADES WITH FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL OF WG-10 ON THE FWS REGULAR PAY SCHEDULE
SOME POSITIONS HAVE FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL OF WG-09 AND WG-11, WHICH WILL BE DIFFERENT THAN THE SCALE BELOW.
THIS IS TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE AVERAGE PAY FOR THE MAJORITY OF OUR TRADES AT THIS TIME
| Months in Program | Pay Grade | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| YEAR 1 | 1-6 | WT-00-01 | $18.71 |
| 7-12 | WT-00-02 | $19.97 | |
| YEAR 2 | 13-18 | WT-00-03 | $21.23 |
| 19-24 | WT-00-04 | $22.49 | |
| YEAR 3 | 25-30 | WT-00-05 | $23.75 |
| 31-36 | WT-00-06 | $25.00 | |
| YEAR 4 | 37-42 | WT-00-07 | $26.26 |
| 43-48 | WT-00-08 |
$27.52 |
|
| COMPLETION | WG-10 Step 2 | $28.78 |
This is a strong, vibrant and rigorous program, one that is intended to provide living wage jobs to area residents. The Program serves as a college-industry model partnership.Graduation and completion rates are currently upwards of 82%. Placement rates for completers is 100%.
Application Process & Suggestions
1. Create a resume on usajobs.gov using resume builder. You can also use any other resume builder, but this one is great!
2. Take the ACCUPLACER college entrance exam. Contact Coastal Pines Technical College at 912-522-4510 to schedule an appointment. You must meet the minimum scores on the test to qualify for the apprenticeship. Test scores must be no more than two years old.
3. Follow our Facebook page https://facebook.com/TRIREFFAC. We will post hiring announcements here, as well as in the announcement section of usajobs.gov, and on indeed.com.
4. When the program opens for applications (usually once a year, in the spring), you will apply by following the directions posted on the announcements listed above.
Be sure to check your email regularly, as we will communicate with you via email throughout the application process. Failure to respond may remove you from further consideration.
Those that are selected will start working sometime mid to late September/early October.
Important Job Information
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These are wage-grade APPRENTICE (entry-level) jobs.
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In order to participate in the program, you will have to be placed into the entry-level MATH and ENGLISH. The placement may be required as part of the application process or soon after starting. You will be notified of when placement requirements must be met.
- All classes are on the clock and all tuition and books are paid for by the program. Apprentices are responsible for their own supplies.
- There is NO relocation expense reimbursement authorized...if you currently live out of area and are selected, you will have to relocate at your own expense and make your own living arrangements within the Kings Bay commuting area before your start date.
- You must be willing to commit, in writing, to working for your employing activity for a period of time following completion of your on-the-clock academic training, which is typically at the end of the 2nd year. Failure to meet the obligated time may require you to re-pay the government’s educational expenses paid on your behalf.
- You may use your VA GI Bill® Benefits to supplement your income while in the program if you wish to do so. Our VA coordinator will assist you once you start work.
You may address questions not addressed by the announcement, the trifold, or this webpage to sara.m.bennett7.civ@us.navy.mil.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.