Industry Leaders to Address Blue-Collar Workforce Shortage at AMPP Western Conference Panel

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. / AGILITYPR.NEWS / October 14, 2024 / The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority in materials protection and performance, will host a pivotal session during its Nov. 4-6, 2024, AMPP Western Conference, titled “Empowering Blue-Collar Trades through Workforce Development,” on Nov. 5, 2024, from 3:45 to 5 p.m. PST in San Diego, Calif. This timely panel, moderated by workforce development expert Courtney Culpepper, will feature leading voices from the labor and defense sectors as they share strategies to address the urgent need for skilled workers in the submarine industrial base.

The Department of Defense (DoD) faces a critical challenge: balancing the recapitalization of its sea-based nuclear deterrent while building new attack submarines. This task requires tens of thousands of workers skilled in multiple industrial trades. However, this workforce's current and projected shortages pose significant risks to national security and defense operations.

Panel Speakers:

• Katherine Dames, Managing Director, Blue Forge Alliance
• Clinton Schuhart, California Workforce Lead, Submarine Industrial Base
• John Snell, Sr. Program Manager for Maritime Trades, Old Dominion University
• Shawn Avery, President and CEO, Hampton Roads Workforce Council
• Bill Miley, Talent Pipeline Program Flag Lead, Southern California

This panel will focus on identifying gaps in existing workforce capabilities, enhancing training programs, and improving recruitment processes to fortify the blue-collar labor force. The session will explore how government agencies, industry leaders, non-profits, and academic institutions can collaborate to streamline recruitment, upskill workers, and strengthen the nation’s submarine production capacity.

Key Discussion Points:

• The DoD's challenge of building and repairing submarines while addressing a significant skilled labor shortage
• Solutions to improve recruitment and training processes for blue-collar workers
• Collaboration between government, industry, and educational institutions to bridge skill gaps
• The future of the submarine industrial base and its impact on national security

This forum presents an essential opportunity to tackle workforce development challenges head-on and secure the skilled labor necessary for the growth of critical industries.

For more information on the session or to attend the AMPP Western Conference, visit AMPP Western Conference - AMPP or contact our Customer Support at 1-281-228-6200.