. >> reporter: cofer has been in the huntington ingalls apprenticeship program three years.pending time in the classroom learning basic math to naval architecture and working in the shipyard. >> we move around the yaerd. we see different stages of ship construction. i have seen everything from how material comes into the yard to how the systems are tested and sold to the navy. >> reporter: he said his past experience pushes him to pay close attention to craftsmanship and detail while on the new job. >> while i was in iraq, all of the things that were a threat to me i didn't want something that was avoidable to cause me injury or to kill me. so i don't want our sailors to have to fear that as well. you know, i want them to know that the work we do here and the work i do is quality work. >> reporter: industry level craftsman like cofer where he is based in newport news can make between 36,000 and 57,000 a year with opportunities for over time and benefits. like many in the industry, he is feeling optimistic that donald trump can be good for the industry if he can make good on