$8M federal grant supports training for Michiganders in shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing

Funding will position Michigan as a maritime manufacturing hub and prepare workers to fill critical, high-wage jobs

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) announced the state received an $8 million federal grant to help Michigan workers gain the skills needed to fill critical, high-wage jobs in shipbuilding and related maritime manufacturing.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grant will support Michigan’s efforts to revitalize the domestic shipbuilding industry, helping to train workers in welding, marine electrical, manufacturing and other skilled trades.

"Michigan's maritime strength comes from the mighty Great Lakes we share our coastlines with," said Governor Whitmer. "As a state with a proud legacy in automotive and defense manufacturing, our waters have supported Michigan's future as a maritime manufacturing hub. This funding will help us build on this legacy by supporting shipbuilding employers find success while training local workers to fill in-demand, family-sustaining jobs. Together, let's keep helping the next generation of manufacturing workers 'Make it' in Michigan."

The grant will allow LEO to establish the Michigan Industry-Driven Skills Training Program and build on the success of the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing (M3) Initiative, a $50 million state-federal partnership to develop a workforce ready to lead the future of defense manufacturing.

“In addition to expanding the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative, this funding allows us to invest in additional training programs in other key shipbuilding areas and train up to 720 new and existing people to build ships right here in Michigan,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “To further those efforts, we’re also investing an additional $3.6 million from the Make It In Michigan Competitiveness Fund to ensure we’re fully capitalizing on this opportunity to support Michigan workers and grow our state’s economy.”

Michigan’s success in this effort will be propelled through an employer-led collaborative which will bring together maritime manufacturers, training providers and other partners to identify and address workforce challenges. This includes evaluating current employee skillsets and determining the training needed to fill critical maritime occupations.

The collaborative will also identify and reach out to laid-off manufacturing workers, connecting them to employment opportunities based on their transferable skills and specialized training to support their successful transition into shipbuilding careers.

“The Michigan Industry-Driven Skills Training Program will help more Michiganders earn a skills certificate or degree, grow the middle class by removing barriers to education and employment, and support businesses by developing a pool of right-skilled talent to meet their needs,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training.

The program will prioritize development of innovative, accelerated training models such as Registered Apprenticeships and work-based learning programs, including those that leverage artificial intelligence (AI)-based platforms to produce skilled shipbuilding workers.

Through this program, LEO will award funds to employers for training and retaining newly hired and incumbent workers in high-growth and emerging industries critical to American competitiveness. Michigan has approximately 300 shipbuilding suppliers operating around the state.

To learn more about Michigan’s workforce programs and initiatives, visit Michigan.gov/LEO.

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