MEDIA, PA — Two federally funded workforce initiatives worth a combined $13.8 million are bringing together educators, shipbuilders and international partners as the United States seeks to expand its shipbuilding workforce and strengthen domestic maritime manufacturing capacity.
Officials from Delaware County Community College, Hanwha Philly Shipyard Incorporated, Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Finland’s Satakunta University of Applied Sciences met in Delaware County and Philadelphia last month to coordinate workforce development efforts supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Labor’s International Labor Affairs Bureau.
The projects are focused on addressing labor shortages that have emerged as policymakers and industry leaders push to expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity amid growing concerns about maritime competitiveness, supply chain resilience and national security.
Delaware County Community College is leading an $8 million grant initiative in partnership with Hanwha Philly Shipyard and a consortium of regional community colleges and Drexel University. The program is designed to expand registered apprenticeship opportunities and adapt workforce development practices from international shipbuilding markets for use in the United States.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy leads a separate $5.8 million initiative known as NEXTSEAS, which is focused on workforce development tied to Arctic and icebreaker vessel construction. Satakunta University serves as the program’s international partner.
The working session included visits to Delaware County Community College’s Advanced Technology Center in Marple Township and Hanwha Philly Shipyard at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.
Participants reviewed apprenticeship programs, workforce training models and strategies for increasing recruitment into maritime careers.
Discussions also focused on modernizing apprenticeship systems, expanding access to skilled trades training and incorporating international best practices into U.S. shipbuilding operations.
The collaboration reflects a broader effort by educational institutions, private employers and government agencies to address workforce constraints that have become a growing challenge for domestic shipbuilders.
The meetings concluded with representatives from the participating organizations traveling to Washington, D.C., where they met with Department of Labor officials to discuss implementation of the grant programs and long-term workforce development strategies.
Hanwha Philly Shipyard is one of the nation’s leading commercial shipbuilders, producing vessels including containerships, tankers and other specialized ships. Supporters of the workforce initiatives say expanding apprenticeship pipelines and training capacity will be critical if the United States is to meet future demand for both commercial and government maritime projects.
The grant-funded partnerships are part of a broader national effort to rebuild the skilled labor base needed to support shipbuilding, maritime transportation and related manufacturing industries.
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