Weld It, Build It, Sail It!

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.