US government allocates USD 13.8 million to rebuild shipbuilding workforce

The United States government has allocated USD 13.8 million to support workforce development in the domestic shipbuilding and maritime sectors. The funding, awarded by the US Department of Labor, is aimed at strengthening skills and rebuilding human capital in an industry considered critical for national security and industrial resilience.

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13 january 2026   |   21:12   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Michał Iwański   |   Print

fot. Kamil Kusier / Gazeta Morska

The grants were awarded under a federal workforce development programme targeting strategic industrial sectors. Delaware County Community College received approximately USD 8 million to expand its technical training facilities and shipbuilding-related education programmes. Massachusetts Maritime Academy was awarded a further USD 5.8 million to enhance maritime and shipyard workforce training.

The funded programmes focus on vocational education, apprenticeships and reskilling initiatives in areas such as welding, hull fabrication, ship systems, modular construction and vessel maintenance. A key component of the initiative is close cooperation between educational institutions, shipyards and companies involved in naval and offshore projects.

The move forms part of a broader US strategy to revitalise domestic shipbuilding capabilities, which have declined over recent decades amid strong competition from Asian and European yards. Alongside investments in shipyard infrastructure and naval procurement, workforce shortages have been identified as a major constraint on increasing production capacity.

Industry observers note that the US approach – combining infrastructure investment, government orders and targeted workforce funding – may serve as a reference model for other countries seeking to rebuild their own shipbuilding and maritime industries.

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