The U.S. Navy is struggling to build warships. Labor shortages and cost overruns slow production. The United States is now behind China in the number of ships at its disposal.
That’s why people like Lucas Andreini are so important. The 25-year-old welder works at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin. He and fellow workers contribute an important piece in the shipbuilding process.
Marinette Marine is under contract to build at least six guided-missile frigates. The frigates are less costly to produce than larger destroyers but have similar weapon systems. But the company has only enough workers to produce one frigate per year.
One of the industry’s chief problems is hiring and retaining laborers. Many older workers are retiring, taking decades of experience with them. So shipyards across the country created training academies and partnered with technical colleges to teach skills needed to construct high-tech warships. Marinette Marine is also using part of $100 million in Navy funding for retention bonuses.
Andreini trained for his job through a program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. He’s happy with the work, benefits, and opportunities to acquire more advanced skills.
Plus, he feels he’s serving his country. “It makes me happy to be able to do my part, and possibly make sure sailors and some of my friends in the service come home safely,” says Andreini.
Huntington Ingalls Industries makes destroyers, amphibious warships, aircraft carriers, and submarines. The company is also creating training partnerships with colleges and public schools. And it’s adding more perks for workers. At a Mississippi facility, it built more than a million square feet of covered work area, cooldown and hydration stations, and a second dining area with a Chick-fil-A.
Worker shortages aren’t the only reason for shipbuilding woes. The Navy frequently changes requirements, requests upgrades, and tweaks designs after construction starts.
The Navy hoped to avoid such issues with the new frigates at Marinette Marine. Officials chose an existing ship design instead of starting from scratch. The idea was that 15% of the vessel design would be updated while 85% would remain unchanged.
But the opposite happened. The Navy redesigned 85% of the ship, resulting in cost increases and delays. Construction of the first-in-class Constellation warship is now three years behind schedule.
The Navy insists it’s seeking to resolve the shipbuilding problems. Shipbuilding companies hope that retaining young workers like Andreini will help the industry get back to consistent production.
Why? Economy and industry depend on individuals. Lucas Andreini’s job doesn’t just provide for him. It also plays a role in the economy, the shipbuilding industry, and military preparedness.
