Ingalls Shipbuilding’s VR welding lab tops 1,000 trainees

PASCAGOULA, Miss., Sept. 18, 2026 — HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding says its Virtual Reality (VR) Welding Lab has trained more than 1,000 people since opening in January 2025, a milestone the company links to broader efforts to modernize skilled-trades training through public–private collaboration.

The facility incorporates immersive simulations into Ingalls’ established welding certification process, giving new and experienced shipbuilders as much as 10 times more hands-on practice in a controlled setting. Company officials credit support from the U.S. Navy, AccelerateMS and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) with helping stand up the lab and expand access to high-quality training aligned with industry needs.

“By leveraging immersive technology, we’re ensuring our shipbuilders enter the workforce with stronger, more consistent welding fundamentals,” said Anna Bourdais, director of the Maritime Training Center of Excellence at Ingalls Shipbuilding. “Our collaboration with the U.S. Navy and regional workforce partners is key to making these investments successful and we’re already seeing improvements in our Ingalls-trained shipbuilders.”

Participants report immediate gains in technique, confidence and readiness for certification. Welding apprentice Olivia Saranthus said the program accelerated her progress. “I had never welded before, but the VR system helped me learn, improve my technique and clearly see where I needed to get better. It’s given me a lot more confidence,” Saranthus said. “Even though I am still in training, I can already see my welds getting better, and the extra practice has helped me move through my certifications much faster.”

AccelerateMS, identified as a key funding partner for the initiative, framed the effort as part of a statewide push to scale modern workforce solutions. “Our partnership with Ingalls Shipbuilding demonstrates exactly what we aim to accomplish across the state, focusing on funding modern, scalable workforce solutions that open doors for Mississippians,” said Courtney Taylor, executive director of AccelerateMS. “Ingalls is setting a national example of how advanced training tools can transform both learning outcomes and career opportunities.”

Ingalls said it plans to broaden access to VR welding and explore additional VR-based training in other trades as demand grows for skilled craft workers. The company described the VR welding program as a cornerstone of its workforce development strategy, supporting new hires, apprentices and experienced craftsmen as they build ships for the U.S. Navy.