Committee hears urgent call to rebuild skilled manufacturing pipeline — apprenticeships, community colleges and regional centers highlighted
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Summary
Witnesses said workforce shortages are the single biggest constraint for shipbuilding, repair and broader defense manufacturing. They urged expanded apprenticeships, K‑12 STEM engagement, vocational training centers and incentives so small firms can invest in worker training.
Multiple members and witnesses described workforce shortages as the top long‑term barrier to increasing production and repair capacity.
Max Paxton said "workforce is number one challenge facing the shipyard industrial base" and described a generational shift after COVID with many experienced workers retiring and fewer journeypersons remaining. He pointed to programs such as welding and pipefitting training and the Advanced Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) center in Danville, Va., as examples of successful local training partnerships.
Eric Fanning emphasized industry efforts with community colleges and earlier STEM engagement, and called for federal support for apprenticeships, on‑the‑job training, credentialing and incentives for companies to invest in training. David Norquist said his association runs scholarship programs and surveys showing 20–30% of members report shortfalls in STEM, trade and cleared personnel.
Members from both parties urged combining federal support, industry partnerships and community outreach, and requested specifics on replicable training models and funding paths (tax incentives, grants or allowable contract costs) to encourage small and mid‑tier firms to train and retain workers rather than losing them during funding swings.
No new federal program was created during the hearing; committee staff asked witnesses to deliver concrete program templates and cost estimates for potential inclusion in authorization and appropriation proposals.
