Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is making waves in maritime workforce education
By Jim Draeger and Meridith Jaeger
In the heart of America’s dairy land, where cheese and beer are as iconic as the Green Bay Packers, there’s an industry that often flies under the radar: shipbuilding. While Wisconsin is known for its agricultural prowess, it is also a hub for shipbuilding, contributing significantly to the multibillion-dollar industry that traverses its waterways.
The Great Lakes is home to shipyards producing some of the largest vessels throughout the world (Ref. 1) and has solidified its place in the maritime sector, employing thousands and supporting industries like transportation and logistics. Among the key players shaping this industry is Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC), an institution dedicated to steering the course of maritime education and workforce development.
NWTC’s involvement in maritime education dates back to World War II, when the college collaborated closely with the maritime sector, providing tailored training to shipbuilders and leading workforce development to grow the industry. Over time, NWTC’s footprint within the industry continued to flourish, expanding its training facilities across the North Coast and growing partnerships with the shipbuilding company Fincantieri, the U.S. Navy, and other key industry influencers. Designated in 2021 and 2024 as a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education, NWTC is recognized nationally for its leadership and innovation in maritime workforce education.
A Perfect Storm
With over 4500 miles of coastline along the five Great Lakes (Ref. 2), the north coast of the United States plays a vital role in making the maritime industry indispensable not only to the local economy but also on a national and global scale.
As the industry continues to expand, the demand for skilled shipbuilders becomes increasingly evident.
In 2011, NWTC launched the North Coast Marine Manufacturing Training Center (NCMMTC) in Marinette, Wis., home to one of the world’s largest shipbuilders. The NCMMTC was born from a comprehensive needs analysis conducted with local shipyards and private consultants. This analysis identified future workforce needs in crucial areas, such as electrical, welding, shipfitting, and pipefitting. Drawing upon the expertise of industry veterans with decades of hands-on experience, NWTC designed training programs to quickly upskill entry-level employees to meet the demands of the evolving maritime landscape.
In its infancy, the NCMMTC started as a modest venture. Technical skills training initially took place in the shipyards, and classroom training for leadership development and other essential skills occurred in a rented office space of an outlet mall. The first training included electrical, welding, blueprint reading, safety, ISO implementation, computer software, and leadership development. As the years progressed, the institution broadened its offerings to encompass a more diverse range of skills, from visual testing training, weld qualification testing, brazing qualification testing, trades math, foreman training, painting techniques, and intermediate through advanced welding and shipfitting to public speaking and Project Management Professional (PMP) exam prep.
The NCMMTC continued to expand for the next 12 years. NWTC purchased a building adjacent to a local shipyard and made renovations that included specialized welding and electric labs, a grinding room, a computer lab, lecture halls with three new classrooms, and a new multipurpose room catering to mechanical, pipefitting, and shipfitting training needs. By 2024, the NCMMTC grew into a 25,000-sq-ft world-class training facility, nearly doubling in student enrollment and serving as the primary destination for training shipbuilders within its region.
The success of the NCMMTC in Marinette prompted NWTC to replicate the welding training at a second location across the bay on its Sturgeon Bay campus in partnership with another shipyard. Since 2022, NWTC has trained over 15,000 maritime workers, including Sturgeon Bay participants and all NCMMTC participants through 2024. NWTC currently has seven full-time instructors, additional support staff, and lab technicians dedicated to serving these workers and their employers at both locations.
Clear Skies Ahead
Reflecting on NWTC’s path in meeting the evolving needs of the maritime industry, several key principles emerge as a guiding light for the road ahead.
The importance of dedicated training spaces that mirror the shipyard environment cannot be overstated. These spaces ensure a seamless and uninterrupted transition from education to the workplace.
A commitment to flexible, round-the-clock training to accommodate students’ schedules will set them up for success. Training can occur outside of normal business hours and needs to occur for every shift — even the third shift. Training does not stop for holidays or inclement weather. When the shipyards are open, so are the training centers.
Relying on subject matter experts from industry to lead training is critical. The best instructors and trainers have firsthand experience in the shipyard. They not only understand the technical skills needed to succeed but also prepare the participants for the culture in a shipyard.
Public and private partnerships are a foundational pillar for growth and success in any endeavor, especially in the realm of maritime education and workforce training. Strong relationships with government agencies, industry associations, businesses, and higher education institutions provide resources, diverse expertise, and a broader network. Success is the only option when all partners work together to reach the same goal.
As we look to the future of maritime education and workforce training, it’s clear that adaptability and anticipation of emerging trends will be paramount. The expansion of robotic and automated welding underscores the need for training programs to evolve alongside technological advancements happening within the shipyard.
There is always a need to prepare and pivot to plan B. Training programs must be adaptable to ever-changing industry needs. Customized, skills-based training provides a flexible foundation to address emerging trends, technologies, and regulatory requirements. WJ
References
1. Great Lakes Maritime Task. 2023. Great Lakes Shipbuilding and Government Programs to Promote the Industry. Retrieved from glmtf.org/position_papers/great-lakes-shipbuilding-and-government-programs-to-promote-the-industry/#:~:text=Shipyards%20with%20large-scale%20capability,Rogers%20City%2C%20and%20Sault%20Ste.
2. Office for Coastal Management. 2024. Great Lakes. Retrieved from coast.noaa.gov/states/fast-facts/great-lakes.html.
JIM DRAEGER ([email protected]) is dean of corporate training & economic development and MERIDITH JAEGER ([email protected]) is vice president of college advancement at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, Wis.