Gulf Copper Registered Apprenticeships

Coast Guard ship cutting through ice in the water.
The Future of Texas Shipbuilding Starts Here. College of the Mainland and Gulf Copper have partnered to create two U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeships that prepare Gulf Copper employees for careers as Quality Inspectors and Shipfitters through full-time employment, paid on-the-job training and technical instruction at COM. 100% Tuition and Required Training Materials Covered by Gulf Copper

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COM and Gulf Copper Partnership

A New Era of Texas Shipbuilding

Gulf Copper has served the Gulf Coast maritime industry for more than 75 years. Following Davie Defense's acquisition of Gulf Copper's Galveston and Port Arthur shipbuilding assets in December 2025, a planned $1 billion modernization is expanding the Texas shipyards' capabilities for complex new ship construction and is expected to create approximately 2,400 direct jobs.

College of the Mainland and Gulf Copper are working together to help build the skilled workforce behind that growth.

Through two Registered Apprenticeships, Gulf Copper employees receive technical instruction at COM and structured on-the-job training while earning a full-time wage.

Your career starts with Gulf Copper. Your training happens at COM.

Ship painter

Earn While You Build Your Career

  • Full-Time Gulf Copper Employment
    Become a Gulf Copper employee before apprenticeship training begins.
  • Earn While You Learn
    Receive a full-time wage while completing your apprenticeship.
  • Employer-Funded Training
    Gulf Copper covers tuition and required program materials.
  • Employee Benefits
    Eligible apprentices receive applicable Gulf Copper employee benefits.
  • Progressive Wage Growth
    Advance through scheduled wage increases as you reach apprenticeship milestones.
  • Nationally Recognized Credential
    Successfully complete the Registered Apprenticeship and earn a nationally recognized U.S. Department of Labor credential.

Choose Your Apprenticeship

Two Career Paths. One Powerful Opportunity.

Quality Inspector

QA/QC Registered Apprenticeship

Approximately 7 months
Prepare for a career helping ensure materials, components and completed work meet required specifications and quality standards. Training begins with Quality Assurance and Quality Control and advances into Non-Destructive Testing.

Full-Time Employment

Paid Training

Tuition Covered

DOL Credential

Apply Now
Marine Fabricator

Marine Fabricator Registered Apprenticeship

Approximately 15.5 months
Develop the skills to fit, fabricate and assemble the structural components of ships through technical instruction at COM and extensive paid on-the-job training at Gulf Copper.

Full-Time Employment

Paid Training

Tuition Covered

DOL Credential

Apply Now

How to Become a Gulf Copper Apprentice

Gulf Copper hires apprentices as employees before they begin training at College of the Mainland. You do not apply to COM first.

  1. Find an Open Apprenticeship Position
    Review current Gulf Copper apprenticeship opportunities during an active application period.
  2. Apply With Gulf Copper
    Complete Gulf Copper's employment application and hiring process.
  3. Get Hired
    Candidates selected for an apprenticeship become Gulf Copper employees.
  4. Begin Your Apprenticeship
    Gulf Copper and COM coordinate enrollment and training.

Upcoming Application Periods

Important: Apprenticeship applications are not open year-round.

Applications for Gulf Copper's QA/QC Quality Inspector and Marine Fabricator Shipfitter apprenticeships open during scheduled hiring periods before each new cohort.

If you don't see an apprenticeship position on Gulf Copper's careers site, applications may not currently be open. Complete the interest form above so we can let you know when the next application period begins.

Apprenticeship Cohort Applications Open Cohort Begins
QA/QC Quality Inspector Fall 2026 July 1-Sept. 15, 2026 Oct. 5, 2027
QA/QC Quality Inspector Spring 2027 Nov. 1-Jan. 15, 2027 Feb. 8, 2027
QA/QC Quality Inspector Summer 2027 March 15-May 10, 2027 May 24, 2027
QA/QC Quality Inspector Fall 2027 June 15-Aug. 31, 2027 Sept. 13, 2027
Marine Fabricator Shipfitter Fall 2026 June 1-Aug. 15, 2027 Sept. 13, 2027
Marine Fabricator Shipfitter Spring 2027 Oct. 1-Dec. 15, 2027 Jan. 10, 2028
Marine Fabricator Shipfitter Summer 2027 March 1-May 15, 2028 June 1, 2028
Marine Fabricator Shipfitter Fall 2027 Sept. 15-Dec. 3, 2027 Jan. 18, 2028

View Gulf Copper Career Opportunities

Applications closed?

Gulf Copper apprenticeship applications open during designated hiring periods and are not available year-round. Complete this form to receive updates about upcoming apprenticeship opportunities, application periods and cohort start dates.

Don't miss the next opportunity.

Training That Can Take You Further

Your apprenticeship can be the beginning of a longer education pathway.

Gulf Copper apprenticeship coursework aligns with COM programs, creating opportunities for eligible apprentices to build on completed training and work experience through Prior Learning Assessment.

Eligible apprentices may be able to receive college credit and continue toward an associate degree and additional education at COM.

College credit through Prior Learning Assessment is evaluated individually and is not automatic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apply with Gulf Copper first. Apprentices are hired as Gulf Copper employees before beginning apprenticeship training at COM.

Applications open during scheduled hiring periods before each new cohort. Review the application schedule on this page for upcoming dates.

Complete the interest form on this page to receive updates about upcoming apprenticeship opportunities and application periods.

Gulf Copper covers tuition and required program materials for apprentices in these programs.

Yes. Apprentices are Gulf Copper employees and earn a wage while completing their apprenticeship.

Yes. Candidates selected for an apprenticeship are hired by Gulf Copper before apprenticeship training begins.

The QA/QC Quality Inspector apprenticeship is approximately seven months. The Marine Fabricator Shipfitter apprenticeship is approximately 15.5 months.

Requirements are established by Gulf Copper and may vary by apprenticeship. Review the active Gulf Copper position posting for current qualifications.

Successful completion of a Registered Apprenticeship leads to a nationally recognized U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship credential.

Potentially. Eligible apprentices may receive college credit through Prior Learning Assessment. Credit is evaluated individually and is not automatic.