M3 will invest in workforce training in Michigan to boost American submarine production
The United States’ nuclear submarine force, and the industrial base partners that help deliver and maintain that capability, are foundational to our national security mission. However, America’s submarine industry is limited by significant workforce needs. The Biden-Harris Administration is making strategic investments in Michigan as part of a national economic and defense policy initiative to meet the Navy’s 5-fold increase in submarine production. These investments are essential to protect the national security of the United States, support our commitment to AUKUS partners, and restore the American maritime industry as a world leader in submarine construction.
The State of Michigan has had manufacturing in its DNA since the turn of the 20th century. The Michigan workers, unions, companies that shaped this nation’s transportation and automotive revolution are uniquely positioned to support the tremendous demand to build and sustain our submarine fleet.
Today, the Biden-Harris Administration, the U.S. Navy, and the State of Michigan announced the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing (M3) initiative. M3 will build skilled workforce pipelines and programs to help meet our nation’s demand for over a hundred thousand new workers in the submarine and maritime industries over the next decade. This initiative will connect American workers with high-paying jobs earlier in their careers, and implement training programs that provide speed and scalability required to meet industry’s manufacturing and engineering gaps.
Rebuilding American Manufacturing
The M3 partnership will connect the Department of Defense (DoD), state and local governments, prime and sub-prime defense industry firms, and academic organizations across the state of Michigan. Navy and DoD are moving to integrate key components of their industrial workforce development programs, projects, and investments into the M3 initiative in addition to the more than $50 million in near term investments committed to Michigan-based infrastructure, programs, and advanced manufacturing technology efforts. Among these early efforts are:
- $16 million to implement an accelerated welding and computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining training program this fall, introducing a maritime-focused skilled trades pipeline aimed at meeting labor demand from hundreds of Michigan suppliers.
- $2 million in educational outreach and engagement programs in Michigan K-12 schools to inspire interest in manufacturing careers and introduce career pathways to good maritime-focused jobs.
- $750,000 aimed at collaboration with veteran placement agencies and the Department of Labor’s Veteran Employment and Training Service (VETS) programs to assist transitioning veterans returning to Michigan each year to join the submarine and maritime sectors as another way to serve their country.
- $4.5 million for Project MFG activities to include expanding into Michigan.DoD’s flagship advanced manufacturing skills competition will serve as a catalyst to elevate the next generation of Michigan’s highly skilled trade professionals through its national machining and welding championships and new Maritime Series competitions beginning this fall.
- Up to $10.75 million over five years in ACENet,to increasea novel and growing national hub-and-spoke network of advanced machining training centers that creates asynchronous pathways to train users through computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) platforms.
- $3 million for an attraction and recruitment campaign focusing on Michigan’s rich history in the manufacturing trades. This targeted recruitment initiative builds on the successful “Built to Last” campaign, which has drawn more than 8 million people to BuildSubmarines.com since September 2023.
These initiatives will target a phased and aggressive approach to maximize the throughput of trades trainees by both expanding and filling state-level trades pipelines and programs. The educational initiatives will leverage existing facilities at Macomb Community College and others to provide a continuous talent pool, boosting the local economy and America’s industrial base. The Navy, in coordination with scaling partners, will take an active role in aligning the trades training programs with the industry’s hiring demand, and graduates from these programs will be provided career placement opportunities with suppliers upon completion of their training.
Strengthening America’s Subsurface and Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities
Undersea domain offers strategic advantages in stealth, surprise, and survivability, allowing the U.S. Navy to maintain a decisive edge over potential threats. Our submarines and the growing unmanned underwater vehicle capability provide unparalleled reconnaissance, intelligence-gathering, and covert strike capabilities, essential for deterring aggression and ensuring freedom of the seas. As rival nations invest heavily in their own undersea assets, the United States must continue to innovate and produce its undersea warfare force at scale to maintain maritime dominance and guarantee national security. The Biden-Harris Administration, in partnership with the State of Michigan, is pleased to announce the M3initiative to counter this growing threat and reestablish American preeminence on the world’s oceans through reinvesting and dramatically scaling American manufacturing capacity and driving technological innovation.
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