HONOLULU -- The Pearl Harbor Shipyard plans to fill 175 positions starting at a job fair in late March.

The job fair is scheduled for March 27 at 8 a.m. to noon at Honolulu Community College.

The shipyard is looking to hire about 100 apprentices and 75 engineers and support positions to help maintain and repair the U.S. Navy ships and submarines at Pearl Harbor.

The shipyard employs about 5,000 workers.

Representatives from 18 trades and the engineering department will set up displays at the career fair and be on hand to answer questions about their occupations. Human Resources and other Shipyard Production Resources personnel will be present as well.

Apprenticeships are four-year, work-study programs that pay trainees while they earn an associate's degree in applied science from HCC. The average starting pay is $19 an hour. After the program, graduates can earn $28 an hour or more.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old by Jan. 15, 2011, U.S. citizens and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants must pass a physical exam, academic skills test and be able to obtain a security clearance. Men must be registered with the Selective Service System.

After the job fair, applicants will only be able to apply online from March 27 to April 9.

People interested in engineer and engineering support positions can e-mail their resumes to cnihhrohawaii@navy.mil by April 23.