16 Service to the Fleet, October 2014 16 Service to the Fleet, October 2014 Welding the Welders: Community of PraCtiCe WorkshoP Joins nuClear, non-nuClear Welders Welding. While the typical definition of the word at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) is to join metals together by applying heat, it can also mean to bring two things into union or close association with one another. That second meaning was the recent goal of the shipyard’s Nuclear Welding Community Performance Event. This event aimed to integrate NNSY’s nuclear and non-nuclear communities into a unified, effective Community of Practice. Employing Learning Organization principles, the workshop, held Aug. 19-22, encouraged candid discussion of the welding challenges across the shipyard among the subject matter experts, with participants subsequently identifying ways to mitigate and eliminate those obstacles. There were even occasional moments of levity, as evidenced by the group name (“Raiders of the Lost Arc”) addressing the occasional lack of communication between engineering and the welding community during planning. Mitch King, NNSY’s Quality Assurance Director, Code 130, and Tim Jacks, NNSY Structural Group Superintendent, Code 920, addressed the shipyard’s most pressing priorities in welding, including training and developing highly qualified welders, eliminating rework and providing support to one another when needed. King pointed out when these objectives are met, NNSY is able to provide timely delivery of the Navy’s ships and submarines so they can return to service. Reflecting on the overall effectiveness of the event, King said, “The most important thing gained is the building of the team with a common vision of being the best nuclear welding program.” Jeff Saniano, Code 920 Acting Nuclear Director, said the workshop provided an important opportunity to discuss the obstacles inhibiting first-time quality, and addressing the “big picture” issues. He said joining the Welding Community of Practice (WCOP) is an important step in the continued development of NNSY’s nuclear welding program. “The WCOP was established in 2012 and has accomplished many goals and made improvements for the non- nuclear side of the house,” he said. “The WCOP is the vehicle we will use now to get action items accomplished from the [workshop] to improve the nuclear side. I am confident in our team and our capabilities.” In the event’s outbrief with shipyard leadership, then Shipyard Commander Capt. Mark Bridenstine discussed the importance of Continuous Training and Development for welders and ensuring first-time quality. He challenged the welding community to re-purpose proven processes when applicable and brainstorm new ideas when possible. “What processes are [the other shipyards] using? Are there corporate equivalents? Go explore that; it doesn’t have to be invented at NNSY. [But] keep thinking about what we can do better and different!” By Michael Brayshaw, Code 1160 Lead Public Affairs Specialist

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Page 1: I025 - Writing - Feature - Welding the Welders - Brayshaw

16 Service to the Fleet, October 2014 16 Service to the Fleet, October 2014

Welding the Welders:Community of PraCtiCe WorkshoP Joins nuClear, non-nuClear Welders

Welding. While the typical definition of the word at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) is to join metals together by applying heat, it can also mean to bring two things into union or close association with one another. That second meaning was the recent goal of the shipyard’s Nuclear Welding Community Performance Event.

This event aimed to integrate NNSY’s nuclear and non-nuclear communities into a unified, effective Community of Practice. Employing Learning Organization principles, the workshop, held Aug. 19-22, encouraged candid discussion of the welding challenges across the shipyard among the subject matter experts, with participants subsequently identifying ways to mitigate and eliminate those obstacles. There were even occasional moments of levity, as evidenced by the group name (“Raiders of the Lost Arc”) addressing the occasional lack of communication between engineering and the welding

community during planning. Mitch King, NNSY’s Quality Assurance Director, Code 130, and Tim Jacks, NNSY Structural Group Superintendent, Code 920, addressed the shipyard’s most pressing priorities in welding, including training and developing highly qualified welders, eliminating rework and providing support to one another when needed. King pointed out when these objectives are met, NNSY is able to provide timely delivery of the Navy’s ships and submarines so they can return to service. Reflecting on the overall effectiveness of the event, King said, “The most important thing gained is the building of the team with a common vision of being the best nuclear welding program.” Jeff Saniano, Code 920 Acting Nuclear Director, said the workshop provided an important opportunity to discuss the obstacles inhibiting first-time quality, and addressing the “big picture” issues. He said joining the Welding Community of Practice (WCOP) is an important step in the continued

development of NNSY’s nuclear welding program. “The WCOP was established in 2012 and has accomplished many goals and made improvements for the non-nuclear side of the house,” he said. “The WCOP is the vehicle we will use now to get action items accomplished from the [workshop] to improve the nuclear side. I am confident in our team and our capabilities.” In the event’s outbrief with shipyard leadership, then Shipyard Commander Capt. Mark Bridenstine discussed the importance of Continuous Training and Development for welders and ensuring first-time quality. He challenged the welding community to re-purpose proven processes when applicable and brainstorm new ideas when possible. “What processes are [the other shipyards] using? Are there corporate equivalents? Go explore that; it doesn’t have to be invented at NNSY. [But] keep thinking about what we can do better and different!”

By Michael Brayshaw, Code 1160 Lead Public Affairs Specialist