Ingalls Shipbuilding to Host Drive-in Hiring Event

Job candidates looking to be employed by one of the United States' largest shipbuilders will be able to interview for a job without having to leave their cars.

America’s largest military shipbuilding company Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced Wednesday that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula, Miss. will host a "drive-in hiring event" due to coronavirus restrictions. 

On Friday, May 22, from 9 a.m. until noon, potential hirees will have the opportunity to apply for open positions and speak to Ingalls recruiters and shipbuilders in person without having to exit their vehicles.

“We are exploring innovative hiring techniques that provide greater accessibility to the many employment opportunities we have to offer,” said Edmond Hughes, Ingalls' vice president of human resources and administration, said in a statement. “This event allows us to efficiently interface with interested applicants while practicing safe social distancing.”

As Mississippi’s largest industrial employer with more than 11,000 employees, Ingalls says it is looking to add workers in a number of open shipbuilding positions this year with minimum pay starting at $34,000 per year. An Ingalls spokesperson did not say how many workers the shipyard is looking to hire, but said the shipyard is often hiring and continuously looking for talented shipbuilders and qualified job candidates throughout the year.

The drive-in follows a one-day online hiring event held by the shipyard earlier this month.

"Our approach to hiring events has evolved to adapt to the changing circumstances surrounding COVID-19. We remain focused on increasing awareness of employment opportunities at Ingalls, while continuing to maintain safety precautions to minimize the risk of contracting the virus at Ingalls facilities and events," the spokesperson said. "While the number of employees at Ingalls has remained steady throughout this time, our efforts to explore and implement innovative recruiting and hiring techniques to reach job seekers will continue."

Pre-registration for the drive-in hiring event is available online here.