SECNAV Del Toro introduces Michigan Maritime Initiative

WARREN, Michigan – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro on July 22 announced the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative (M3), a federal, state and local partnership to support rebuilding the maritime industry workforce needed by the Navy.

M3 will initially focus on submarine manufacturing before expanding to other vessel types. Secretary Del Toro announced M3 at Macomb Community College, one of many academic partners across Michigan committed to developing the future maritime workforce.

M3 will establish training plans and programs to meet the Navy’s need for thousands of new workers and jobs across the state and the entire Great Lakes region. The initiative will implement a training curriculum focused on maritime welding and machining at the scale and speed needed to fill manufacturing and engineering gaps in the maritime workforce. The initiative will also connect the next generation workforce to the Navy’s ongoing maritime mission and the need to increase its competitive advantage from the industrial base to the sea.

“I am thrilled to be in Michigan today to launch an investment of over $50 million for this important effort to rebuild our nation’s maritime manufacturing workforce,” said Secretary Del Toro. “This initiative underscores our Navy’s commitment to strengthening maritime dominance by enhancing strategic training partnerships among federal, state and local agencies while leveraging Michigan’s long-standing reputation as a manufacturing hub.”

Michigan’s manufacturing industry remains a leading producer of semiconductor chips, electric vehicle batteries and clean energy, and the state is well positioned to lead the manufacturing efforts of the future. The schools and industry partners that have shaped the nation’s automotive and transportation industries will help build and sustain the Navy’s fleet. The M3 initiative will also help place graduates of these programs with maritime suppliers to meet their workforce needs.

Leveraging Department of Defense (DoD) Industrial Base Policy assessments and innovative veteran programs such as SkillBridge, which provides retiring military personnel with hands-on work experience during their final 180 days of service, the M3 initiative also capitalizes on Michigan’s large veteran population and legendary strength in the labor market.

“We are investing to advance and develop the capabilities critical to our national security. These investments will enable us to achieve the strategic priorities of the National Defense Industrial Strategy,” said Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy. “By partnering with Michigan’s automotive industry to expand the SIB, we are reimagining what is possible for manufacturing communities not only in Michigan, but across the country.”

Secretary Del Toro made the announcement alongside Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senator Gary Peters, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment and Training Service Mr. James Rodriguez, and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale.

“As we invest in training the next generation of workers, we are sending a clear message to manufacturers across the country: Come to Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “This is where we make things – whether it’s ships, semiconductor chips or potato chips. We have the guts and know-how to make anything America needs. Our defense industry contributes $30 billion to our economy and supports more than 166,000 jobs and nearly 4,000 businesses. We produce more military vehicles than any other state and are home to major defense contractors like General Dynamics, BAE and GM Defense. With our growing veteran population – over 500,000 strong – Michigan is well-positioned to continue to be a manufacturing powerhouse.”

With investments of over $50 million and collaboration with various partners, the M3 initiative will implement customized and accelerated training and education programs with a focus on maritime manufacturing.

You can read Minister Del Toros’ full remarks here. A fact sheet with details on this initiative can be found here.