INITIATIVES

GSSC has been or is currently involved in several initiatives designed to enhance the image and increase awareness of the shipbuilding and repair industry in the Gulf States. Read more about these activities below.

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GSSC INITIATIVES

National Maritime Standardized Curriculum Initiative


Shipfitter Boot Camp


Worlds of Opportunity


Dacum Workshops for Production Crafts


Career Day Event


Recruitment Campaign


Marketing Materials


Call Center


Shipfitter Job Analysis Project


Shipbuilding and Career Resources Website



 

National Maritime Standardized Curriculum Project

GSSC is leading an effort to develop national standardized curriculum for the maritime industry. Partnering with NCCER, GSSC hosted a National Maritime Standardized Curriculum Summit on March 24, 2011, which led to the Lighthouse Campaign--a drive to fund the development of a national Maritime Workforce Development program for the maritime industry--and the formation of a national Maritime Council to oversee the initiative once funding is secured. The Maritime Council will hold its organizational meeting in March 2012 in conjunction with GSSC's annual meeting.


Shipfitter Boot Camp
GSSC developed a Shipfitter boot camp to quickly training workers for this critically needed occupation. Based on a model from North Dakota’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the boot camp includes soft skill and technical training using standardized industry-driven curriculum developed by GSSC.  Candidates must participate in prequalification activities including drug testing, WorkKeys testing, shipyard tours, and interviews to establish eligibiity prior to selection.

 

Worlds of Opportunity Career Day

GSSC coordinates the Maritime World for SAWDC's hands-on Worlds of Opportunity Career Expo.  In its third year, the annual event draws thousands of eighth-grade students from 66 schools in eight counties in Southwest Alabama and is designed to expose students to career opporutnities available to them. In the Maritime World, GSSC's member shipyards and other member organizations work together to plan, set-up, and staff hands-on booths representing different jobs found at a typical shipyard. Watch video... 


DACUM Workshops for Production Crafts

For three days, July 21 – 23, 2010, shipyard Subject Matter Experts from Alaska Drydock, Austal USA, BAE Systems, Bollinger Shipyards, Marinette Marine Corporation, Northrop Grumman, and VT Halter Marine participated in DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) workshops to facilitate development of standardized curriculum for the marine industry. NCCER facilitated the DACUM curriculum development process—one that it has used to develop several hundred standardized training curricula for construction trades and management.

Career Day Event

In January 2008, GSSC partnered with Old Dominion University and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, among others, to host a Shipbuilding and Repair Career Day for 400 Alabama and Mississippi middle and high school students. Due, in large part, to GSSC’s members, the Shipbuilding and Repair Career Day offered three main activities including visiting working shipyards, talking to industry professionals, and participating in hands-on activities simulating shipyard work. GSSC is planning to replicate the event in the fall of 2008. Read more…



Industry Awareness and Recruitment Campaign

In April 2008, GSSC initiated a six-month PR campaign. The campaign’s purpose is to increase public awareness of the career opportunities in the shipbuilding and repair industry along the Gulf Coast. Designed to attract, develop, and retain a robust labor force in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, the campaign targets high school students, under-employed/undervalued workers, community and technical college students, transitioning military, Hispanics, and women. Read more…


Marketing Materials

GSSC has developed marketing materials that will be used to recruit workers to the industry. Materials include a viewbook, posters, and ads. View samples…

Videos interviewing shipyard workers at our participating member yards were also created and will be used in marketing activities. View videos…

GSSC members have access to all materials developed through GSSC.



Call Center

GSSC developed a process by which to recruit and pre-qualify potential workers. As part of the PR campaign, the call center can be used to accept phone calls from individuals interested in working in the industry and to make referrals to appropriate partners.



Shipfitter Job Analysis Project

GSSC developed an industry-wide skills profile for Shipfitters, an occupation identified as being in critical demand by member yards. In an effort to develop an industry-wide cooperative model that spans the Gulf Coast region, GSSC contracted with SkillsNet to develop comprehensive job analysis and training information for the shipfitter position. Data collected, which includes tasks, tools, unique knowledge, resources, skills, and abilities, served as the foundation for the development of GSSC's shipfitter curriculum and will ultimately lead to the development of an industry recognized portable skills certificate.



Shipbuilding and Career Resources Website

GSSC is developing a career resource website for students, parents, career changers, educators, employers, and career advisors. Goships.com will provide visitors with information about careers in the shipbuilding and repair industry including videos from workers in the industry. Visit Goships.com

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