Specialized training programs are becoming essential for companies seeking skilled talent in the submarine industrial base. Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) has become a significant resource for employers in the defense sector, including Trident Refit Facility, Bangor (TRFB), in Silverdale, Washington.
The shortage of skilled labor continues to present a significant challenge for the marine industrial base (MIB). ATDM has emerged as a vital solution, enabling companies like Ellwood National Forge to rapidly upskill employees and meet the growing demand for precision manufacturing.
As a premier steel component supplier working to meet various needs in the defense industry, Ellwood National Forge needed to address the labor gap to continue to support its operations. In 2022, it approached ATDM for solutions.
In the world of manufacturing, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining is a game-changer, blending the precision of computers with the art of manual machining. It’s essentially manual machine work done through a computer environment. Instead of relying on manual control, CNC machines automate the process, using computer programs to craft parts with high precision.
Liz Beasley was working at a bookstore in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia when she realized she wanted to pivot her career to secure a better future for her family. Encouraged by her husband, Beasley applied for a machining apprenticeship at Norfolk Naval Shipyard—a decision that, at first, felt intimidating. Despite her doubts, she took the leap. Beasley began her apprenticeship in February 2021, just as the world was recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
ATDM hosted another successful and insightful career fair connecting our cohorts to prospective employers. Approximately 200 students attended, eager to explore career opportunities with a diverse group of companies from across the country. The event drew 40 employers from various sectors, all looking to connect with the skilled soon-to-be graduates of ATDM.
And it was not the first time many of these companies had come to ATDM to recruit new talent.
There is a growing need for qualified workers in skilled trades such as welding and the industry is responding with competitive pay, job security and the opportunity to build a fulfilling career path. Women are stepping up to fill this gap and are discovering the advantages of this profession. Within the past seven years, the number of women working in skilled trades has increased by nearly one-third. In 2021, there were more than 314,000 tradeswomen in the U.S.
In the world of welding, where sparks fly and metal bends to the will of skilled hands, Makayla Baker stands out as a trailblazer. Her journey from a high school art class to becoming a respected welding technician and instructor at the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing Program is a testament to her passion, determination, and resilience in a traditionally male-dominated field.
In the past two years, 92 Veterans have found renewed purpose and new careers through the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program.
The BuildSubmarines ad blitz is part of an innovative campaign to shore up one particular aspect of the industrial base.
