US government launches Michigan Maritime Manufacturing (M3) Initiative
July 26, 2024
The US’s Biden-Harris Administration, the US Navy, and the State of Michigan announced the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing (M3) initiative. M3 is expected to build skilled workforce pipelines and programmes to help meet US demand for over a hundred thousand new workers in the submarine and maritime industries over the next decade. The initiative is also expected to connect American workers with high-paying jobs earlier in their careers and implement training programmes that provide the speed and scalability required to meet the industry’s manufacturing and engineering gaps.
Rebuilding American Manufacturing
The M3 partnership will connect the Department of Defense (DoD), state and local governments, prime and sub-prime defence industry firms, and academic organisations across the state of Michigan, which has historically been integral to the country’s manufacturing ecosystem.
The Navy and DoD are moving to integrate key components of their industrial workforce development programmes, projects, and investments into the M3 initiative, in addition to the more than $50 million in near-term investments committed to Michigan-based infrastructure, programmes, and advanced manufacturing technology efforts.
Early efforts include:
- $16 million to implement an accelerated welding and computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining training programme this fall, introducing a maritime-focused skilled trades pipeline aimed at meeting labour demand from hundreds of Michigan suppliers
- $2 million in educational outreach and engagement programmes in Michigan K-12 schools to inspire interest in manufacturing careers and introduce career pathways to good maritime-focused jobs
- $750,000 aimed at collaboration with veteran placement agencies and the Department of Labor’s Veteran Employment and Training Service (VETS) programmes to assist transitioning veterans returning to Michigan each year to join the submarine and maritime sectors as another way to serve their country
- $4.5 million for Project MFG activities to include expanding into Michigan DoD’s flagship advanced manufacturing skills competition, which aims to serve as a catalyst to elevate the next generation of Michigan’s highly skilled trade professionals through its national machining and welding championships and new Maritime Series competitions beginning this autumn
- Up to $10.75 million over five years in ACENet to increase a novel and growing national hub-and-spoke network of advanced machining training centres that creates asynchronous pathways to train users through computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) platforms
- $3 million for an attraction and recruitment campaign focusing on Michigan’s rich history in the manufacturing trades. This targeted recruitment initiative builds on the successful Built to Last campaign, which has drawn more than 8 million people to BuildSubmarines.com since September 2023
These initiatives will target a phased and aggressive approach to maximise the throughput of trades trainees by both expanding and filling state-level trades pipelines and programmes. The educational initiatives will leverage existing facilities at Macomb Community College and others to provide a continuous talent pool, boosting the local economy and America’s industrial base.
The Navy, in coordination with scaling partners, will take an active role in aligning the trades training programmes with the industry’s hiring demand, and graduates from these programmes will be provided career placement opportunities with suppliers upon completion of their training.
