LBW Among Four ACCS Colleges Benefiting from $30 Million U.S. Navy Workforce Investment

The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) announced a $30 million investment funded by the U.S. Navy to modernize and expand maritime workforce training at four Alabama community colleges, including Lurleen B. Wallace Community College. The announcement came during a Monday morning press conference at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf in Mobile, AL.

The funding will enable the colleges to expand their submarine manufacturing and shipbuilding training programs and assist the Navy in building one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines each year. Achieving this production target requires a dramatic expansion of America’s maritime industrial workforce, and LBW is now positioned to play a central role in delivering that talent pipeline.

“This investment reflects our strength as THE workforce training provider for Alabama, and the confidence our federal partners place in our ability to deliver results,” said Jimmy Baker, ACCS Chancellor. “We are expanding opportunity for Alabamians in every region while directly strengthening our contributions to the Maritime Industrial Base Program and our nation’s security.”

The U.S. Navy has projected a need for 250,000 skilled workers nationwide in maritime manufacturing over the next decade. With ongoing investments in Austal USA, Alabama Shipyard, and the new Mobile Naval Shipyard, more than 3,000 additional jobs are expected to be created in Alabama. Along the Alabama Gulf Coast alone, between 4,000 and 5,000 new maritime workers will be needed over the next five years.

“This partnership will enable us to build on the success of our strong and well-established welding program by expanding into additional high-demand areas such as pipefitting,” said Dr. Brock Kelley, LBW Community College President. “The project includes a significant renovation of our current lab space, allowing us to create the additional capacity to meet the needs of the maritime industry. Our mission is to prepare highly qualified individuals who are ready day one of employment, and we are committed to delivering the training and credentials needed to support that workforce pipeline.”

"The Navy cannot grow the maritime industrial base alone. It takes regional partners like the Alabama Community College System building real training capacity in the communities where our workers live," said Matt Sermon, Direct Reporting Program Manager for the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program. "This is what workforce development looks like when it's done right, putting people on a path to careers that matter to our national security."

The funding will directly benefit four Alabama community colleges:

·       Lurleen B. Wallace Community College (Opp)

·       Bishop State Community College (Mobile)

·       Coastal Alabama Community College (Bay Minette)

·       Reid State Community College (Evergreen)

The investment will allow the implementation of specialized curricula in maritime welding, structural fitting, and pipefitting at all four colleges.

After project completion, the ACCS expects to produce more than 800 skilled trades professionals annually. These students will fill high-demand skilled trades that provide strong career opportunities and play a vital role in our national security.

“Alabama is rapidly advancing as a leader in diversified, high-tech manufacturing, serving as the U.S. base for global aerospace and maritime industries and powering major automotive and next-generation pharmaceutical production,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “The United States Navy’s investment of $30 million in the Alabama Community College System marks another milestone as our state expands cutting edge training in submarine and shipbuilding manufacturing. This is exciting news for Alabama workers as they build successful careers while also contributing to America’s defense.”

While only four colleges will directly benefit from facility upgrades and expanded capacity through this investment, all 24 colleges within the Alabama Community College System have long played, and will continue to play, a vital role in supporting the maritime industry. Through both direct workforce training and programs that prepare workers for suppliers and support industries, ACCS institutions statewide contribute to the strength and sustainability of Alabama’s maritime industrial base. The newly branded ShipWorks Alabama, represents this consortium of Alabama community college programs that feed directly into the maritime industry.

“All of our colleges, in some way, will contribute to the development of these giants,” said Jennifer Hall, ACCS Regional Workforce Director. “Through ShipWorks Alabama umbrella, we are intentionally highlighting these pathways to show current and prospective students that our programs position students for high-demand, well-paying careers that offer long-term stability, advancement opportunities, and the pride of contributing to something greater than themselves.”