By Sue Siever
W2J Program Administrator

Production heads, production division directors, managers, supervisors, training leaders, and union representatives gathered March 20 in the Naval Aviation Depot (NADEP) Cherry Point conference room to honor the first ever graduating class of the depot’s Worker-to-Journeyworker (W2J) Program. State Department of Labor representative, Dennis Comstock, was also in attendance to add his congratulations to our graduates.

The concept for the W2J Program began as a joint effort between NADEP management and union officials with the program becoming a reality in February 2000. The objective of the program is to train highly skilled worker level employees to perform the full range of duties required at the journeyworker (artisan) level.

Of the 42 graduates, 16 employees completed requirements in the Airframes trade, 14 in the Aircraft Sheet Metal trade, eight in the Aircraft Electrical trade, three in the Heat Treat/Electroplate trade, and one in the Aircraft Engine/Aircraft Mechanical Parts trade. According to Beverly Plasters, NADEP Training Director, two of the graduates, Joseph A. Stewart Jr. and Michael S. McClure, became depot employees as participants in the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP).

Production Head Greg Piner reminded the graduates of the importance of their accomplishment and encouraged them to continue working toward their future goals to contribute to the mission of the depot. Col Eugene K. Conti, NADEP Commanding Officer, presented the graduates with completion certificates from the U.S. Department of Labor, N.C. Department of Labor, and Department of the Navy. He commended each of the graduates, telling them that he expects to see great things from them as future leaders at the depot.

Photo Caption: W2J graduates pose in front of the NADEP Cherry Point Headquarters, Building 137, March 20. (Photo by Larry Conley)