Molder

The foundry is a unique and valuable operation at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. It is highly respected, not only here at the shipyard for its talents and capabilities, but throughout the entire foundry industry. It is one of just a couple of foundries in the U.S. capable of pouring a large variety of ferrous and nonferrous metals. The apprentice molder is rotated through nine areas of the foundry. A complete overview of each operation is given and the necessary processes of producing a finished casting from raw materials are taught. The apprentice molder will spend ten months in the patternmaker shop to learn core box construction, production of molds and modeling concepts. Trade theory courses in blueprint reading and molder's theory are taught as part of the core curriculum.