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V O L . X X X N O. X X V I I I D E C E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 2 4 18 M A N U FAC T U R I N G F O C U S the apprenticeship program himself about 10 years ago. Schreiber, now 26, was in college when the pandemic hit and decided to pivot. "I reached out to the director of the apprenticeship program," she says. "I figured it was a good time to join the workforce." She liked the idea of on-the-job training combined with class work, with no prior experience needed. "Before that, I had never really read a tape measure," she adds. Uncertain whether she wanted to pursue welding or machining, she first enrolled in a three-week paid training course held at Southern Maine Community College in part- nership with BIW, that offers an overview of skills like blueprint read- ing, tool work and safety. at helped her decide on machin- ing, so she started her apprenticeship in November 2020. She was immedi- ately assigned to a mentor, starting on a hydraulic side press. "Once I was proficient and comfort- able enough to run it, I moved to a new machine and so on," she says. Four years in, she enjoys the chal- lenge. "I learn something new every day," she says. Cracking the code Other pipelines are new. "We've been trying to crack the code of how to get into the schools and change the mindsets that not every kid is going to become a doctor and go to college," says Stevens. Recent efforts include partnering with Jobs for Maine Graduates, an edu- cation nonprofit that partners with pub- lic education and private businesses to help students achieve their career goals. A two-year rotational professional development program prepares high- potential individuals for leadership roles. Participants are individually men- tored by leaders and complete rota- tions that cover critical aspects of the shipbuilding process, work- ing in a wide variety of roles. Candidates for the summer internship program are selected from maritime and academic institutions for positions includ- ing engineering, design, finance, planning and scheduling, materials and quality, manufacturing opera- tions, safety, HR and labor relations. A partnership with the Maine Community College System and Maine Quality Centers offers pre- hire workforce training free to quali- fied applicants, targeting specific jobs such as welding, manufacturing and marine design. Graduates receive an interview with BIW. e partnership, established seven years ago, has resulted in a 93% retention rate. "We just had a graduation the other night," says Stevens. "We cel- ebrated our 81st class." In an effort to increase the number of veterans hired, BIW partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense Skillbridge program, an internship program which connects transitioning service members to training opportunities; Maine's Hire- A-Vet Campaign; and Boots2Roots, a Portland-based nonprofit that prepares active-duty military members for their transition to the civilian workforce. Training trailer e BIW Training Academy is in a 32,000-square-foot facility at Brunswick Landing. Training simu- lations mimic real-world jobs and P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Recruitment strategies include: Raising the profile of shipbuilding career opportunities in the trades and STEM. Developing career discovery programming for Maine high school students, expanded skilled trades training, additional outreach to populations historically underrepresented in shipbuilding. Attracting new residents and talent by promoting living in Maine and by targeting the military and veteran community and engineering degree programs in regional institutions. Promoting workforce development, asset maintenance and infrastructure development. Collaborating with Maine businesses, including others in the shipbuilding industry, on support for workforce housing, childcare and transportation through direct investment, tax credits and other incentives. Supporting and developing existing and future in-state vendors by offering technical assistance and training. Tom Stevens, Director of Training at the BIW Training Academy, at the academy at Brunswick Landing.

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