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NEWS | Oct. 31, 2023

More than 300 job offers extended during two-day shipyard hiring fair at the Kitsap Conference Center

By Ben Hutto, PSNS & IMF Public Affairs

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility held a two-day hiring fair at the Kitsap Conference Center in downtown Bremerton Oct. 20- 21. Approximately 1,300 job seekers came through the doors, resulting in 331 on-the-spot job offers during the event.

The focus of this event was to hire more skilled trade positions for the command’s production shops. Shops were accepting resumes from candidates with a variety of skillsets and experience levels, including those with no previous trade skills or experience.

“I think it’s going great,” said Cathy Forne, shipfitter supervisor, Shop 11/17, Shipfitters, Forge & Sheetmetal. “Applicants are very excited and seem ready to work. I’ve already interviewed three people and all were good candidates. It’s exciting to see.”

Forne was one of several shipyard employees who staffed the 17 booths from the various shops offering positions. Each booth provided applicants with details about job openings, career advice and an opportunity to submit resumes for future positions that may open in the future.

Ryan Bell, a recent high school graduate, was one of the applicants looking for a job at the event. Bell, who currently works in food services on Naval Base Kitsap, said he hopes the event leads to more permanent employment for him.

“I like the idea of working for an employer that will train you,” he said. “Only being out of high school a year, I don’t have a lot of experience, and getting an opportunity at a place like the shipyard would be great. I like working with my hands and building things. Hopefully, I can get some training to help make a living doing that.”

In addition to booths offering jobs, there were booths manned with representatives from Employee Resources Groups, Command University and the PSNS & IMF Career Counseling Center, to highlight some of the unique services and benefits provided to employees working on PSNS & IMF.

According to Bill Barnum, the department head of Code 900A.4, Administrative Support, many shops are still in the process of interviewing and going through resumes, so even more jobs may be filled in the coming days and weeks.

The hiring fair was the fourth hiring event PSNS & IMF has held this year to attract more workers to the shipyard. If you, or someone you know, is interested in a career with PSNS & IMF, you can email a resume to DHAproductionjob.fct@navy.mil or check USAJobs.gov and search "PSNS."