NWTC Secures Navy Grant to Boost Local Shipbuilding Workforce

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NWTC has received a grant of $579,181 from the Department of Navy to help alleviate the shortage of skilled shipbuilders in Northeast Wisconsin. This area, hosting six of the eight Great Lakes shipbuilding companies, urgently needs more qualified workers. The U.S. Navy plans to expand its fleet significantly, which will require more skilled maritime workers.

Meridith Jaeger, NWTC Vice President of College Advancement, highlighted the need to adapt to changes in the industry. NWTC will introduce the Welding Rodeo: Experiences in STEM Education program with this grant. The program will feature STEM career fairs, welding workshops, and competitions to encourage careers in welding and attract new workers to fill the industry's employment gap.

The Welding Rodeo aims to meet immediate industry needs and serve as a model for other trades. It will start in fall 2024, with annual events in Marinette and Sturgeon Bay, locations important for their maritime industries. NWTC's industry partners will be integral to the success of these events, supporting the college's mission.

NWTC has a long history of working with the maritime sector since World War II. The college has trained nearly 15,000 workers through its North Coast Marine Manufacturing Training Center. It offers specialized training at its facilities in Marinette and Sturgeon Bay to fulfill the demands of U.S. Navy contracts.