Golden Secures Funds for Mobile Welding Lab to Train Shipbuilders, Manufacturing Workers

WASHINGTON — As part of his ongoing work to expand access to good jobs in Maine's heritage industries, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $1 million in dedicated funding for a mobile welding lab for the Maine Community College System (MCCS). The new lab will allow all seven Maine Community Colleges to offer welding and manufacturing training, skills in high demand from Bath Iron Works (BIW) and other employers.

"Bath Iron Works is hoping to hire hundreds of new welders in the next few years, and they're far from the only employer looking for workers with welding and manufacturing skills. With the right resources, we can train up that workforce right here in Maine," said Golden. "I'm proud to secure this funding to bring a mobile welding lab to the Maine Community College System. This funding will invest in a proven program to connect young Mainers with good-paying careers and support manufacturing jobs in Maine."

By adding a mobile welding lab, MCCS will be able to offer welding classes to students from every Maine county through all seven of the community colleges, as well as at high schools and centers of technical education. These courses can expose and prepare students for careers at employers like BIW, Pratt & Whitney, and others.

"This funding helps us make a significant investment in infrastructure for a very popular program. This new mobile welding training lab will allow us to take this program on the road to where it's needed most." -David Daigler, President, Maine Community College System

"This mobile welding training lab is an important investment in Maine's workforce and helps us find new ways to reach learners where they are. This resource will provide the tools and flexibility to prepare trainees for high-demand welding positions." - Dan Belyea, Chief Workforce Development Office, Maine Community College System

The request on behalf of the Maine Community College System was one of the congressman'sCommunity Project Funding requests. The House passed the bill containing Golden's request late last night. The legislation is expected to pass the Senate and be signed into law without delay.

One example of the success the MCCS mobile welding lab will attempt to replicate is the apprenticeship program run by Southern Maine Community College and BIW. Since 1950, this program has produced more than 2,000 graduates. In the coming years, BIW is projected to need to hire and train more than 2,000 new employees, including more than 350 welders. MCCS currently has 80 apprentices in its BIW program, with the goal to reach 200 participants in the next two years.

The $1 million in funding secured by Golden will cover the cost of the mobile welding lab itself as well as a year's worth of instruction, transportation, and materials for the mobile welding lab and the robotics lab. The funding will also help support a robotics lab for MCCS.

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