MOBILE, Ala., March 30, 2026 –
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. 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 Alabama’s community colleges are 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.
“Through this program, Bishop State students will gain hands-on training in skills directly tied to submarine production, including ship fitting, pipe fitting, non-destructive testing, metrology, machine tool technology, and even 3D metal printing,” said Akareem Spears, Dean of Workforce and Economic Development. “We’re investing in new technology, such as welding robots and 3D metal printers, while also expanding programs we already have in place. This isn’t training for training’s sake. Our goal is to prepare students for high-wage, high-demand jobs. These are national security priorities, and we’re fortunate to be part of the solution.”
"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:
- Bishop State Community College (Mobile)
- Coastal Alabama Community College (Bay Minette)
- Lurleen B. Wallace Community College (Opp)
- Reid State Community College (Evergreen)
While structural welding is a common program across all Alabama community colleges, structural fitting is only available at Bishop State. The investment will allow the implementation of specialized curricula in maritime welding, structural fitting, and pipefitting at all four colleges.
The schools will
also benefit from facility renovations and upgrades, the acquisition of
state-of-the-art training, equipment, and expanded outreach and recruitment
efforts that will more than double each school’s training capacity. 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.”
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