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College of the Mainland (COM) and Gulf Copper offer two U.S. Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship paths in Texas: QA/QC Quality Inspector, which takes approximately seven months, and Marine Fabricator Shipfitter, which takes approximately 15.5 months. Selected apprentices become full-time Gulf Copper employees before training begins, earn wages while they train, and have tuition and required program materials covered by the employer. Applications open during scheduled hiring periods, not year-round.
Choose between quality inspection and shipfitting
The programs lead toward different kinds of shipyard work. The QA/QC track focuses on inspecting work and learning nondestructive testing; the Marine Fabricator Shipfitter track focuses on making and assembling structural components. Both combine instruction at COM with paid on-the-job training at Gulf Copper.
| Apprenticeship | Work focus | Training | Approximate length |
|---|---|---|---|
| QA/QC Quality Inspector | Quality assurance and quality control in shipbuilding | Quality assurance and quality control, progressing to nondestructive testing | 7 months |
| Marine Fabricator Shipfitter | Ship structural components | Fitting, fabricating and assembling components, with technical instruction at COM and on-the-job training at Gulf Copper | 15.5 months |
Durations are approximate and come from COM’s Gulf Copper Registered Apprenticeships page. The QA/QC program is the shorter route; shipfitting involves a longer period of training in structural fabrication.
Pay, tuition and what completion provides
Applicants selected for either pathway are hired by Gulf Copper before the apprenticeship starts. They receive full-time wages during training, and Gulf Copper covers tuition and required program materials. COM says wages are scheduled to increase as apprentices reach program milestones, but it does not publish the dollar amounts. Applicable employee benefits may also apply; confirm the details in the active job listing.
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- Detailed Scale Modelling Kit
- HMS Beagle kit
- Requires assembly
- Package Weight: 1.72 kilograms
Successful completion earns a nationally recognized U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship credential. COM says college credit may be available through prior-learning assessment, but it is reviewed individually and is not automatic.
How to apply—and why dates need checking
Applications go through Gulf Copper, not through a year-round COM application. Hiring periods are scheduled, and entry requirements vary by apprenticeship. Check the current Gulf Copper job listing for open dates and qualifications; COM’s program page also provides program information.
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- Wooden building kit
- Not a toy - designed for 14003 builders over the age of 14
- Requires assembly
The schedule shown on COM’s page contains apparent inconsistencies between some cohort labels, application windows and start dates. Because those dates may not reliably identify the next opening, confirm them in the live Gulf Copper listing or with COM before making plans. Do not rely on an old cohort row as evidence that applications are currently open.
How the apprenticeships fit into the shipyard’s plans
COM says Davie Defense acquired Gulf Copper’s Galveston and Port Arthur shipbuilding assets in December 2025. The college describes a planned $1 billion modernization expected to create approximately 2,400 direct jobs. Those are future plans and projections, not evidence that the investment is complete or that those jobs have already been created.
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Rank #3
- Difficulty Level: Primary skill level required for assembly, suitable for beginners starting their model building journey
- Finished Dimensions: Length measures 440 mm with deck length of 308 mm when fully assembled
- Complete Model Kit Contents: Includes ship model kits and upgrade accessories for enhanced building experience
- Premium Upgrade Accessories: Features brass cannons, lifeboat model kits and other detailed brass parts for authentic detailing
- Scale Replica Design: 1/96 scale model of the Harvey 1847 classic antique wooden sailboat for historical accuracy
Chron reported that Gulf Copper’s Pelican Island shipyard is expected to build Arctic icebreaker ships for the U.S. Coast Guard. That broader shipyard context may help explain the demand for skilled trades, but it does not guarantee an apprenticeship, a particular job assignment or employment after the apprenticeship beyond the employment terms described by Gulf Copper.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about the first cohorts
Chron reported in October 2026 that about 25 people were enrolled in each pathway and described the programs as the first apprenticeships of their kind in COM’s 59-year history. The current COM program page does not confirm enrollment, so treat the headcount as a news report rather than a current total. The reviewed sources do not publish completion, placement, retention or wage-rate statistics.
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- Teak Deck, Cherry wood, Basswood material
- Metal assemble accessories, color instructions and 1 set 1/96 lifeboat included
- Accurately laser cut wooden parts, upgrade accessories like metal anchors, brass rings
- 1847 Harvey trading ship model, great gift for ship enthusiasts
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- Highly Detailed: Meticulously crafted 1:70 scale model of the historic ENDURANCE
- Authentic Materials: Constructed from high-quality wood and die-cast metal to create a beautiful display model.
- Intricate Design: Features intricate details like rigging, sails, ladders, cannons and deck elements, with 3,292 parts
- Adult Assembly Required: Engaging project for hobbyists and model enthusiasts, this is Medium difficulty build, model ship build required, Average build time: 480 hrs.
- Impressive Scale; dimensions 29.68" inches long x 17.5 " tall X 8.5 " wide when fully assembled.
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