Ships do not stay in service because someone occasionally paints them. They require continuous inspection, repair, modernization and skilled work on steel, piping, machinery, electrical systems and equipment.

That makes shipyards one of the broadest collections of skilled trades in the maritime industry.

What kinds of trades work in shipyards?

Shipyards employ welders, pipefitters, electricians, riggers, machinists, sheet-metal workers, painters, mechanics, insulators, crane operators and many other specialists. Large projects require multiple trades to work together in tight spaces and in carefully planned sequences.

Some workers specialize deeply in one craft. Others move into inspection, planning, supervision, or project management after years of field experience.

What does a welder do?

Welders join and repair metal using processes selected for the material and job. In shipbuilding and repair, welding can involve structural steel, piping, foundations, tanks, and many other components.

BLS says welders typically need a high school diploma or equivalent plus technical and on-the-job training. It reported a 2024 median annual wage of $51,000 for welders nationally, although compensation in maritime and shipyard settings varies by region, overtime, specialty, and experience.

What about pipefitters and riggers?

Pipefitters assemble, install and repair piping systems that move water, fuel, steam, air and other fluids throughout a vessel. The work requires accurate measurement, drawings, fittings, valves and an understanding of how systems connect.

Riggers plan and control the movement of heavy equipment and components using cranes, hoists, slings and other lifting gear. On a ship, where loads may be large and spaces constrained, rigging depends on careful planning and communication.

How do apprenticeships work?

Many skilled trades use apprenticeship models that combine technical instruction with supervised work. Employers, unions, public shipyards, private shipyards, or training organizations may run programs.

A strong program should clearly explain how long the apprenticeship lasts, what competencies are taught, whether apprentices are paid, what credential or journey-level status is earned, and what job placement looks like.

Safety is part of the trade.

Shipyard work can involve hot work, confined spaces, heights, heavy lifts, energized equipment, and industrial machinery. Safety is not a separate subject that gets added later; it is part of being skilled at the job.

Workers need to follow procedures, use protective equipment, communicate hazards, and know when to stop a task until conditions are safe.

How does this connect to Battleship IOWA?

A historic steel ship makes the importance of skilled trades visible. Look at the hull plating, piping, foundations, ladders, ventilation, electrical equipment, and structural repairs required to keep IOWA preserved. Every one of those systems represents work performed by people with practical skills.

If you are more interested in building and fixing than sitting in a classroom, a shipyard can turn that preference into a serious technical career.

What can you do now?

Take welding, machining, construction, automotive, electrical, or other CTE courses. Learn blueprint reading and shop mathematics. Practice safe tool use. Visit apprenticeship programs and ask what a first-year apprentice actually does.

Do not assume a skilled trade means limited advancement. Experienced tradespeople can become lead workers, supervisors, planners, inspectors and superintendents - or build businesses of their own.