Two Newport News shipbuilders at The Apprentice School were named Trailblazer Apprentices by the U.S. Department of Labor, part of a nationwide initiative to boost awareness of apprenticeships.

The honorees are Courtney Driscoll and Matthew Phoebus.

Launched in 2023, the Apprentice Trailblazer Initiative creates a national network of diverse apprentices and apprenticeship graduates of all ages and backgrounds to feature their stories, hear their perspectives and show how apprenticeships increase opportunities for underserved populations.

The initiative will also bring awareness to others who may be interested in becoming apprentices.

Driscoll served as an X33 coatings apprentice, completing her apprenticeship in September 2023. During that time, she also completed a Frontline Foreman Accelerated Skills Training (FAST) program, which was created to produce highly qualified supervisory candidates. She was promoted to an X33 craft instructor for The Apprentice School in November 2023.

Driscoll said it was an honor to be among the first cohort for the Trailblazer program.

“I was able to share my story to others and give them confidence in finding their own path to follow, or to ‘blaze the trail not yet traveled,’” she said. “As a cohort, we were able to nationalize a movement to help strengthen registered apprenticeships as well as expand, modernize and diversify them.”

Phoebus served as an X31 electrical apprentice before transitioning into the Apprentice School Optional Programs (ASOP) as a nuclear test technician (NTT) apprentice. He also completed the FAST program. He is on track to complete his NTT apprenticeship in December 2025.

“While it is nice to enjoy and be proud of this award for the moment, I know it is meaningless if I stop here,” he said. “I am looking forward to continuing my hard work and to improve myself on a daily basis so I can deliver the most positive impact on the project and the company.”