Department of Labor awards $13.8M in shipbuilding workforce development funding

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the award of nearly $14 million in funding to support the development of programs aimed at reinvigorating and rebuilding the U.S. maritime industry and shipbuilding workforce.

Administered by the department’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs, the department awarded $8 million to Pennsylvania’s Delaware County Community College and $5.8 million to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to advance the next generation of American shipbuilders through hands-on, cutting-edge training programs developed in conjunction with international partners.

“Restoring America’s maritime dominance can’t be accomplished without skilled American workers,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “In line with President Trump’s executive orders, these projects will help train our next generation of shipbuilders and ensure the skills critical to revitalizing our shipbuilding industry are developed here at home.”

Implementing these programs advances the department’s goal of reaching one million registered apprenticeships nationwide as part of the President’s promise to restore American manufacturing and put American working families first.

The projects will develop a specialized, internationally recognized curriculum on shipbuilding trades to expand apprenticeship opportunities in the United States, working directly with U.S. shipyards and supporting innovation in areas such as modular and icebreaker technology.

In alignment with President Trump’s Executive Order, “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,” the initiative seeks to revitalize and rebuild the U.S. maritime industry and shipbuilding workforce, while also promoting national security and economic prosperity. The projects also support Executive Order, “Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future,” by ensuring workforce programs align with real-world emerging industry needs.

These efforts support the growing strategic importance of collaborating with allied nations on maritime issues in the Arctic and polar regions. The U.S. recently signed a joint statement of intent with Canada and Finland to continue the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort Pact, strengthening Arctic security and maritime capability.

Delaware County Community College, founded in 1967, is a federally recognized Maritime Center of Excellence with a strong track record in workforce development and maintaining industry partnerships.

Established in 1891, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is one of America’s oldest maritime academies with decades of experience preparing cadets and mid-career professionals for service in shipping, defense, and energy industries.

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