Ingalls Shipbuilding's VR Welding Lab Surpasses 1,000 Trainees

PASCAGOULA, Miss., Sept. 18, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Ingalls Shipbuilding has reached a significant milestone with its Virtual Reality (VR) Welding Lab, having surpassed 1,000 trainees since opening in January 2025. This achievement underscores the company's investment in advanced training technology and its collaborative efforts with the U.S. Navy, AccelerateMS, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC).

The VR Welding Lab integrates immersive simulations into Ingalls’ established welding certification process, providing new and experienced shipbuilders with up to 10 times more hands-on practice in a safe and controlled environment. The lab has been operational since January 2025 and has seen a steady increase in trainees, highlighting the effectiveness of the VR-based training.

Shipbuilders who complete the VR program report immediate improvements in welding technique, confidence, and readiness for certification. Welding Apprentice Olivia Saranthus shares her experience, stating, "The VR training has already made a noticeable difference in my skill development. 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’s experience is just one of many positive outcomes from the VR training program.

AccelerateMS, a statewide workforce and economic program and a key funding partner for the VR initiative, underscores the impact of modern training tools. The VR welding program remains a cornerstone of Ingalls’ workforce development strategy, supporting new hires, apprentices, and experienced craftsmen as they build and deliver the critical ships our U.S. Navy needs.

The milestone highlights the value of Mississippi’s statewide workforce partnerships when they align with industry needs. By combining federal support, state workforce investment, and community college instruction with Ingalls’ expertise in shipbuilding and skilled-trades development, this partnership delivers a scalable, industry-aligned program that strengthens Mississippi’s workforce pipeline and supports long-term economic resilience across the region. The lab has been a key component in this effort, providing a safe and efficient way to train shipbuilders.

As demand for highly skilled craft workers continues to grow, Ingalls has plans to continue expanding access to VR welding and pursue additional VR-based training opportunities across other trades. The VR welding program remains a cornerstone of Ingalls’ workforce development strategy, supporting new hires, apprentices, and experienced craftsmen as they build and deliver the critical ships our U.S. Navy needs. The lab’s success is a testament to the effectiveness of VR technology in enhancing training outcomes and preparing shipbuilders for the demands of the workforce.

The lab’s success is a result of a collaborative effort between Ingalls Shipbuilding, the U.S. Navy, AccelerateMS, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The milestone of surpassing 1,000 trainees since opening in January 2025 highlights the impact of this partnership and the value of modern training tools in the shipbuilding industry.