Photo By Shelby West | Welding Instructor Albert "A.J." Crayton observes Welder Todd Scott inspect a pipe joint.... read more read more
Approximately five years ago, Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) identified several areas to improve including the non-nuclear pipe welding shop. To ensure NNSY’s welders have the proper skill set to accomplish any non-nuclear pipe welding tasks given to them, Shop 26 devised a three-day training program. Since this had not been done before, the right person needed to be identified to become the man behind the welding curtain.
“I was working in Code 133, Quality Assurance, when I heard about the job opening,” said welding instructor A.J. Crayton. “This sounded like a great opportunity to give back the knowledge I gained over the years as a welder. I submitted my application and was selected for the position.”
Crayton grew up in the city of Chesapeake. Upon his high school graduation in 2007, he decided he wanted to follow his father’s footsteps. His father, Albert Crayton, Jr., got Crayton his first job hanging iron for a commercial construction company.
“It was my dad who introduced me to the workforce,” said Crayton. “On top of that, he taught me a strong work ethic to help me become successful in my occupation.”
After a few years, Crayton applied to become a welder at NNSY. He liked the idea of working for the government for the job security and great benefits. To his disappointment, he was not selected to come aboard the shipyard.
“I didn’t give up on my dream to become part of NNSY,” said Crayton. “I just needed to find another way to become part of the shipyard team.”
Crayton became a welder for Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), Newport News, Va. where he welded for seven to eight hours a day every day. During this time, he extended his experience and knowledge from what he was taught at his first construction job. Eventually, Crayton decided to apply again to become a welder for NNSY. This time, he was hired. He quickly joined the non-nuclear radiographic testing team.
“Not only was I working on the highest level of pipe welding the shipyard has, but I also traveled to both public and private shipyards to perform the same type of high quality and important work,” said Crayton.
The biggest challenge Crayton had to overcome when becoming the pipe welding instructor was this had never been done before. He had to seek out resources, talk to leadership and his peers to derive the best course possible.
“To make this course as realistic as possible, we came up with scenarios that replicate welding tasks that are performed on a regular basis,” said Crayton. “If a welder is able to perform the task in a training environment, then they will be able to do the same on the waterfront.”
Knowing that individuals learn different ways, Crayton taught himself to become versatile in his training methods. “There are some welders who are visual learners. I would perform the task myself, showing them each step all the while,” said Crayton. “While others can be told what to do and they are able to accomplish any given task. I do not consider my training technique one size fits all. No, each person has their own personality and attitude, therefore everyone learns differently. It’s up to me to figure out the best method to teach individuals, not cookie cutter group.”
Learning how to treat people as individuals, treat them with respect, treating them fair came long before joining the NNSY team. This was something he was taught while growing up.
“If it wasn’t for my mother Cathy Jenkins and stepfather James Jenkins I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I owe them everything for teaching me manners, morals, and etiquette to ethics. It is these principles that served me well and got me to where I am at today.”
Crayton doesn’t know what the shipyard has in store for him next, but he knows whatever it will be, he will do his part to make a difference.
| Date Taken: | 10.14.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.14.2022 08:25 |
| Story ID: | 431310 |
| Location: | PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 87 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Shipyard Spotlight: Albert "A.J." Crayton, by Troy Miller, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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