PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of President Obama’s declaration of National Apprenticeship week, Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI), today hosted an event to showcase its widely respected Registered Apprenticeship program.
In coordination with the Philadelphia School District, the shipyard invited 30 students from four area schools to its newly developed Training Academy, where current Philly Shipyard apprentices receive welding training. In May 2016, the company opened the academy to provide a dedicated facility offering customized training for all production personnel. The visiting students shadowed current apprentices in the new academy, met with former apprentices, and then participated in a tour of the larger shipyard facility.
Jim Clark, PSI Training Manager, organized the second annual event and commented, “Philly Shipyard’s apprentice program is a necessity for our business to build and sustain a long-term workforce. Since its inception, the company has graduated 106 apprentices who have developed into the next generation of skilled shipbuilders. There are another 75 active apprentices. The students visiting today have an opportunity to witness first-hand the value of joining an apprenticeship program to learn the skills and academics necessary for a successful career in manufacturing. It is an opportunity like no other.”
Initiated in 2004, the three-year apprenticeship program develops the next generation of Philly Shipyard employees. As of today, shipyard apprentice graduates and current apprentices make up 23% of its current workforce. Since its founding, 21 graduates have moved into management positions and many have obtained additional manufacturing qualifications. The shipyard hired 50 apprentices in 2016 and intends to hire more in 2017.
Philly Shipyard has a construction backlog through 2019. It is currently building four 50,000 dwt tankers for a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, Inc. and two 3,600 TEU containerships for Matson Navigation Company, Inc. For more information on Philly Shipyard projects, please visit www.phillyshipyard.com.
About Philly Shipyard:
Philly Shipyard is a leading U.S. commercial shipyard constructing vessels for operation in the Jones Act market. It possesses a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility and has earned a reputation as the preferred provider of oceangoing merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships. Philly Shipyard is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (Oslo: PHLY) and is majority-owned by Aker Capital II, which in turn is majority-owned by Aker ASA. Aker is a Norwegian industrial investment company that creates value through active ownership. Aker's investment portfolio is concentrated on key Norwegian industries that are international in scope: oil and gas, fisheries and biotechnology, and marine assets. Aker's industrial holdings comprise ownership interests in Aker Solutions, Kvaerner, Det norske oljeselskap, Aker BioMarine, Ocean Yield, Havfisk and Akastor.
About National Apprenticeship Week:
National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity for the Apprenticeship community to tell the story of apprenticeships and is an invitation to business and industry, education, career seekers, community based organizations, students, and workers to learn about the real world advantages of developing careers through adoption of the apprenticeship model. Apprenticeship is for those who aspire to be great, lead in innovation and creativity, strive to innovate in business and industry, and recognize the value of combining paid on the job learning coupled with a substantial educational component to build generational greatness in careers and commerce.
