Hawaii Kai Woman Reaps Rewards For Harbor Apprenticeship

Shop 52 Electronics Measurement Equipment Mechanic Cheryl Yamanaka of Hawaii Kai is congratulated Aug. 9 by Shipyard Commander Brian Osgood, after she graduated from the 2013 Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Apprentice Program at a ceremony at Bloch Arena on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Yamanaka also earned an outstanding craftsman award as well as the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard National Association of Superintendents Superior Craftsman Award. Photo from David Tomiyama.

A Hawaii Kai woman recently claimed a national award for her performance in a Pearl Harbor Shipyard apprenticeship program.

During the Aug. 9 graduation ceremony for 132 apprentices, Cheryl Yamanaka received the shipyard’s National Association of Superintendents Superior Craftsman Award.

Yamanaka also is known as a Shop 52 electronics measurement equipment mechanic. She and her colleagues completed a four-year program that included earning an associate’s degree from Honolulu Community College, gaining certification in their respective trades, and achieving full-time, paid apprenticeships.

Graduates transitioned to mechanic or journey worker status in shipyard jobs, which pay them an average of nearly $30 an hour.

“Welcome to your new role as leaders,” Shipyard Commander Capt. Brian Osgood told the graduates at their commencement ceremony, held in Bloch Arena on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

“Every member of our shipyard ohana looks forward to continuing to work with you every day for many years to come in order to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet ships and submarines ‘fit to fight.'”