Contact: Joshua Morby
Mobile: 920.968.4197
Email: media@thenewnorth.com
New North technical colleges ready to meet workforce needs
MARINETTE, November 4, 2010 – The United States Navy has submitted a proposal to Congress that would award a contract to Marinette Marine to build ten new Littoral Combat Ships, potentially creating 1,000 new jobs for the New North’s shipbuilding industry and thousands more for suppliers of Marinette Marine.
The Navy’s proposal would divide the construction of 20 new ships between partners Marinette Marine and Lockheed Martin Corp. and Alabama-based Austal USA and its partner, General Dynamics Corp. Each partnership would be awarded one ship each in 2010 and 2011, and two ships per year from 2012 to 2015.
Marinette Marine expects the contract to double the company’s workforce from 1,000 to 2,000.
“If approved by Congress, this new contract is great news for Marinette Marine, the New North, and the state of Wisconsin,” said Jerry Murphy, Executive Director of the New North. “One of the driving factors that has made our region so attractive for the shipbuilding industry is the cooperation between area shipbuilders and local technical colleges, including Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.”
Over the past year, NWTC has been planning for the opportunity to serve the needs of Marinette Marine and the shipbuilding industry as a whole. Because of changing workforce demographics – as well as the potential for new contracts that would grow the industry – NWTC partnered with state shipbuilders like Marinette Marine, Burger Boat, Carver Yachts, and others to establish a maritime alliance group and help the companies train a 21st Century workforce.
Starting in January, the college will offer two new programs – Marinette Marine Construction Technology and Marine Engineering Technology – which are specifically designed to train the next generation of workers in the industry. These programs are in addition to existing programming that supports skills needed for shipbuilding, including welding, fabrication, blueprint reading, and others.
NWTC has also submitted a federal grant proposal to construct a training center to meet the needs of incumbent workers, as well as new workers required for the upcoming Navy contract. The college is working with Senator Kohl and members of the new legislature to make the goal of the training center a reality.
“We are thrilled to be well ahead of the curve in terms of workforce training and supporting the needs of the maritime and marine industry in Wisconsin,” said Dr. Jeff Rafn, President of NWTC. “Collectively with our sister colleges, we are excited about the opportunity for growth in this industry, and we stand ready to work with manufacturers to meet their workforce needs now and in the future.”
New North, Inc. is a regional collaboration effort focused on promoting regional cooperation and economic development in an 18-county region in Northeast Wisconsin. The 18 counties included in the New North are Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Waupaca, Brown, Shawano, Oconto, Marinette, Door, Kewaunee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Florence, Menominee, and Waushara. To find out more information about New North, Inc., please visit our website at http://www.thenewnorth.com.
