Senator Schatz Presses Shipbuilders on Workforce Development and Industry Growth

Streamlining Government Shipbuilding

• 💡 The National Security Multi-Mission Vessel Program at Philly Shipyard has seen success by removing typical regulatory constraints found in government shipbuilding.
• 🎯 By awarding the contract in April 2020, Philly Shipyard grew from about 80 employees to successfully deliver three of five vessels on time and on budget, with only a 0.38% budget growth.
• 🔑 Value engineering and a collaborative approach, integrating vessel construction managers, help identify issues early and avoid the traditional "gotcha" mentality.
• 🛠️ Reducing federal acquisition regulations, minimizing flow-downs, and breaking the direct privity between the government and shipyard allows for design finalization and execution without constant change orders.

Addressing Workforce Pipeline and Retention

• 📉 The shipbuilding workforce often reflects boom-and-bust cycles, impacting retention and the ability to maintain a stable workforce.
• 🚀 A consistent demand signal and long-term construction work are crucial for shipyards to invest in their workforce and offer careers, not just jobs.
• 🎓 Efforts are underway to educate younger generations, starting from elementary and middle schools, about shipbuilding as a viable career path.
• 🤖 The profession is evolving with new technologies like AI and robotics, making it an attractive and modern field to pursue, moving beyond the traditional four-year degree path.