Witnesses Tell Senate Panel Workforce, Small-shipyard Grants and Inclusion Are Key to Rebuilding U.S. Shipbuilding
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Summary
Small yards and workforce development were central to testimony: Tully Snow described growing her Seattle firm from about 30 to 100 employees through nontraditional hiring and a small-shipyard grant; witnesses urged more apprenticeship funding, Pell access for certificates and expanded small-shipyard grants.
Small shipyards, apprenticeships and inclusive hiring strategies were a recurring theme at the Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing on rebuilding U.S. shipbuilding capacity.
"My family owns and operates one of the last independent boat building companies in Seattle," said Tully Snow, talent acquisition engagement manager at Snow and Company, Inc. Snow told senators the yard grew from about 30 employees five years ago to just over 100 this year and credited a Merit small-shipyard grant for equipment purchases that increased capacity. "For just this one specifically, we hired 15 to 20 more people," she said of the grant-funded investments in a laser cutter, press and deburring machine.
Snow described recruitment from nontraditional labor pools — veterans, immigrants, refugees and people leaving incarceration — and recounted hiring a Ukrainian weld specialist who now leads a production team. "You don't need to speak English to work hard with exceptional results," she told the committee, arguing that translation technology and paid apprenticeships open the sector to a broader workforce.
Senators and witnesses urged more federal support for vocational pipelines. Chairman Sullivan and others highlighted Pell-eligible certificate programs and apprenticeship funding included in recent budget measures; witnesses said expanded Pell access for short-term certificates and appropriated apprenticeship funding would help close mid‑career and mid‑level trades gaps. Matthew Paxton said shipyards invest in apprenticeships but face a competitive market that can pull highly trained people away; permanent demand and steady contracts would allow yards to plan and retain workers.
Industry witnesses also described the operational impact of small-shipyard assistance programs. Paxton said the program is consistently oversubscribed and that a sustained authorization would encourage more in-yard investment. Senators asked about programs to support small yards, and several members urged increasing and making the small-shipyard grant funding predictable.
The committee heard examples of employer-funded benefits intended to retain workers: Snow said her yard provides "100% employer paid health insurance with 80% for any dependents" to attract and keep employees. Senators asked witnesses to outline near-term actions to scale workforce capacity, including increasing small-shipyard grants, expanding apprenticeship pathways with community colleges and high school partnerships, and accelerating contract awards to create sustained hiring signals.
No formal legislative actions were taken at the hearing. Senators asked witnesses to provide written follow-up answers for the record.
