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Dive Into Your Future at Weld It, Build It, Sail It!

May 9, 2025

Maritime Careers Festival at Nauticus on May 18

$1 Early Bird Tickets to Nauticus Available Now – $5 Day of the Event!

NORFOLK, Va. (May 9, 2025) – Nauticus and the Regional Maritime Training System (RMTS) are proud to present “Weld It, Build It, Sail It—A Reimagined Maritime Careers Festival” on Sunday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Nauticus. This vibrant, family-friendly event will bring the waterfront to life with interactive exhibits, recruiters, hands-on demonstrations, and an array of engaging activities for all ages.

With 15 maritime partners actively recruiting on-site, the festival is designed to highlight the wide range of careers in Hampton Roads’ growing maritime industry. Attendees will be able to speak to recruiters representing maritime employers and learn about educational opportunities with area workforce training programs.

“Nauticus is revolutionizing our region’s maritime future with cutting-edge exhibits and programming,” declared Stephen Kirkland, executive director of Nauticus. “This groundbreaking festival doesn’t just highlight maritime career opportunities; it transforms our waterfront into a showcase of innovation through immersive exhibits, hands-on demonstrations and family experiences. We’ve engineered an event that will captivate minds, cultivate talent and create lasting memories—all while celebrating our community’s maritime heritage.”

The all-day festival will include:

  • Checking out live demonstrations and talks from maritime professionals
  • Exploring the waterfront with sailboat rides at Sail Nauticus
  • Storytelling and coloring books for children, making the event fun and educational for even the youngest visitors
  • Enjoy a variety of delicious offerings from three local food trucks & live music in Nauticus’ front loop
  • Access to Nauticus’ new state-of-the-art interactive exhibits and the historic Battleship Wisconsin
  • First 1,000 visitors will receive a free drawstring bag, thanks to the Virginia Maritime Association

Presented by RMTS (Regional Maritime Training System), a program of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, with additional support from the Virginia Maritime Association and Wilson Pipe & Fabrication, this event is designed to engage students, families, job seekers, veterans and the broader community interested in learning more about the exciting and essential careers that power the region’s maritime sector.

Admission is just $1 when purchased online in advance or $5 at the door. Tickets and full event details are available now at: nauticus.org or  Weld It, Build It, Sail It! – Nauticus & The Battleship Wisconsin.

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About Nauticus

Nauticus is a maritime discovery center located along the waterfront in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, offering a unique form of experiential learning for all ages. Through interactive exhibits and STEM to Stern programming, Nauticus uses the museum, Battleship Wisconsin, sailing center and Schooner Virginia to tell the story of the maritime environment, industry and the military. The Nauticus Foundation is the nonprofit, 501(c)(3) that supports the mission and activities of Nauticus. Nauticus’ mission is to benefit the community through education, impactful experiences and sharing access to maritime resources. For more information, visit www.nauticus.org.

About Regional Maritime Training System

Led by the Hampton Roads Workforce Council (HRWC), the Regional Maritime Training System (RMTS) is a collaborative coalition of businesses, training providers, educational institutions and community organizations working together to enhance and grow the pipeline of talent in the Hampton Roads maritime industry. The service areas covered by the HRWC includes 27 independent localities in Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina, with a total of 1.9 million residents. For more information, visit the RMTS website.

About Hampton Roads Workforce Council

Established by the Hampton Roads Workforce Development Board, the Hampton Roads Workforce Council (HRWC) oversees federally funded workforce development programs for all localities in the Hampton Roads region. The HRWC provides strategic workforce development solutions designed to assist businesses in accessing qualified workers and job seekers in search of suitable job openings and training opportunities to bolster their earning potential. To learn more, visit the HRWC website

Weld It, Build It, Sail It!

May 9, 2025

Nauticus and RMTS Debut Maritime Careers Festival for Students and Families 

NORFOLK, Va. (March 31, 2025) – Nauticus and the Regional Maritime Training System (RMTS) are proud to announce “Weld It, Build It, Sail It—A Reimagined Maritime Careers Festival,” a new event that will showcase the diverse and rewarding career paths available in Hampton Roads’ maritime industry. This exciting, family-friendly event will take place on May 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Nauticus in downtown Norfolk.

“With our new state-of-the-art exhibits and programming, Nauticus is doubling down on strengthening our region’s maritime workforce,” said Stephen Kirkland, executive director of Nauticus.  “This first-of-its-kind festival for Nauticus not only showcases a wide variety of jobs and careers within our local maritime community, it also brings our waterfront to life through interactive exhibits, hands-on demonstrations, and family-friendly activities.  We’ve created a festival that’s designed to be engaging, educational and tons of fun.”

This dynamic, community-oriented event is presented by RMTS, a program of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council (HRWC). Students, job seekers, families, members of the military and community are welcome to come explore the diverse opportunities within Hampton Roads’ maritime sector through Nauticus’s new, cutting-edge interactive exhibits, hands-on demonstrations, engaging storytelling, entertainment and networking with maritime professionals.

The maritime industry is a cornerstone of Hampton Roads’ economy and is facing increased demand for skilled workers. This festival is an opportunity to build awareness and enthusiasm among all generations about these essential and rewarding career paths.

“Our goal supporting the Nauticus Maritime career festival is to connect with people and showcase the thrilling and life-changing opportunities available within the maritime industry and skilled trades. We’re committed to reaching a diverse audience and inspiring the next generation of leaders in these vital fields,” said the Workforce Council CEO and President Shawn Avery. “This dynamic partnership and unique event creates the perfect atmosphere to spark passion and open doors to rewarding maritime careers!”

Admission to Nauticus is reduced to $1 for this event when purchased in advance online or $5 the day of the event. Tickets may be purchased in advance through the Nauticus website.

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About Nauticus

Nauticus is a maritime discovery center located along the waterfront in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, offering a unique form of experiential learning for all ages. Through interactive exhibits and STEM to Stern programming, Nauticus uses the museum, Battleship Wisconsin, sailing center and Schooner Virginia to tell the story of the maritime environment, industry and the military. The Nauticus Foundation is the nonprofit, 501(c)(3) that supports the mission and activities of Nauticus. Nauticus’ mission is to benefit the community through education, impactful experiences and sharing access to maritime resources. For more information, visit www.nauticus.org.

About Regional Maritime Training System

Led by the Hampton Roads Workforce Council (HRWC), the Regional Maritime Training System (RMTS) is a collaborative coalition of businesses, training providers, educational institutions and community organizations working together to enhance and grow the pipeline of talent in the Hampton Roads maritime industry. The service areas covered by the HRWC includes 27 independent localities in Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina, with a total of 1.9 million residents. For more information, visit the RMTS website.

About Hampton Roads Workforce Council

Established by the Hampton Roads Workforce Development Board, the Hampton Roads Workforce Council (HRWC) oversees federally funded workforce development programs for all localities in the Hampton Roads region. The HRWC provides strategic workforce development solutions designed to assist businesses in accessing qualified workers and job seekers in search of suitable job openings and training opportunities to bolster their earning potential. To learn more, visit the HRWC website.