Congresswoman Scanlon and Philadelphia Officials Celebrate US Navy's New Philadelphia Region Workforce Pipeline Pilot

Statement

Philadelphia, PA -- Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, Philadelphia City Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson, and School District of Philadelphia Superintendent William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D. today joined representatives from the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy to celebrate a new workforce pilot program.

The U.S. Navy and Secretary of Defense have more than $300 billion planned for investments in new submarines, aircraft carriers, and ships, over the next several decades. Pennsylvania has the most defense suppliers (~300) and critical suppliers (40+) of any state for the Navy's submarine and aircraft carrier programs, but suppliers nationwide are struggling to meet their workforce needs.

The U.S. Navy, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the Philadelphia Navy Annex have teamed with local employers and academic institutions to develop a program committed to building sustainable talent pipelines in this region and energizing the regional economy. The program focuses on teaching small- and medium-sized employers how to improve their talent acquisition and retention by building talent pipelines area high schools, community colleges, and Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers. This model has already been successfully deployed by the Navy in the Virginia maritime industry to meet current and future hiring and retention needs through the employment of local CTE graduates.

At least 60 candidates will be able to immediately transition into well-paying careers with local employers at the end of this academic year as a result of the pilot program.

"While Philadelphia is widely known as the birthplace of American democracy, many people don't realize that we are also the birthplace of the U.S. Navy and a longtime hub for American shipbuilding," said Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05). "This project represents a huge economic opportunity for our country -- and especially my district, which includes the Philadelphia Navy Yard. With hundreds of billions of dollars in planned investments from the Department of Defense for new submarines, aircraft carriers, and ships over the next several decades, our region must be properly prepared if we want to take part in the great economic opportunities those projects will present for local employers and workers. The Philadelphia Region Workforce Pipeline Pilot is just what we need to maximize the potential for growth in our local maritime industry."

"I am thrilled to see our local employers partnering with the School District, Community College of Philadelphia, and other local high school CTE programs to build this important talent pipeline," said Philadelphia Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson (at-Large). "It is crucial to our local economy to ensure we have a skilled workforce and that we are supporting local employers through partnerships and growth opportunities. The economy is modernizing faster than our schools can produce curricula. making the Philadelphia Pipeline Project, and similar partnerships, imperative to ensuring the success of our future workforce. And with the Navy's exciting plans to build more ships and submarines at our historic navy yard, we want to make sure that the young people in their backyard are first in line for such opportunities."

"The Philadelphia Pipeline Project is a program that doesn't just impact the future of the students who will participate in it; it actually can impact the future of our world because it allows young people to not only get a viable career, but contribute to our country's defense. We are excited to begin this endeavor," added William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D., Superintendent, School District of Philadelphia.

Ms. Adele Ratcliff, Director, Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program said, "When I speak to young people such as those participating in this program about the opportunities that exist in the maritime defense industry, I tell them that there are many ways to serve your country, including working in manufacturing to support critical naval and submarine-building operations. I also tell them my own story of having grown up in humble circumstances, and how I was able to access so many opportunities and a rewarding career, as well as the chance to contribute to a larger mission of supporting our national security; and I stress that the doors are wide open for them to enter these careers and succeed."

Participating Employers:

Philly Shipyard Inc.
Rhoads Industries
Derbyshire Marine & Tool Co.
Naval Surface Warfare Center
Bridesburg Foundry Co.
Effort Foundry
DC Fabricators Inc.
Greiner Industries
Kingsbury Inc.
L3Harris Technologies
Navy Supply Systems Command
Philadelphia Ship Repair
Philly Gear / Timken
Q.E.D. Systems
Fairmount Automation Inc.
Metals USA
Partner Academic Institutions:

Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing
Bucks County Community College
Community College of Philadelphia
Delaware County Community College
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Williamson College of the Trades
Father Judge High School
Benjamin Franklin High School
Jules Mastbaum High School
Randolph High School
Swenson Arts and Technical High School
Thomas A. Edison High School

Source