The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding has been approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to operate as a postsecondary institution, Huntington Ingalls Industries announced Monday.

The certification gives the school the authority to grant academic degrees, according to a release from HHI, the parent company of Newport News Shipbuilding.

The school plans to grant associate’s degrees of applied science in maritime technology in 26 disciplines, including maintenance electrician, marine designer, nuclear test technician and modeling and simulation program analyst. Final approval of the degree programs by the Council of Occupational Education is expected to be made later this year.

“This is an historic milestone for The Apprentice School,” said Xavier Beale, NNS vice president of trades. “Our ability to offer academic degrees deepens our commitment to workforce development and will open new opportunities for our company to help to meet the ever-gro...