Securing the Depths: Addressing Workforce Challenges in the Submarine Industrial Base

September 3, 2024

Presented by EY

Securing the Depths delves into the pressing workforce challenges confronting the Submarine Industrial Base—a cornerstone of national security. As the Department of Defense endeavors to modernize its sea-based nuclear deterrents while accelerating the production of new attack submarines, the demand for skilled labor has reached a critical juncture. With a production goal of one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines annually, the post-Cold War drawdown and the globalization of manufacturing and supply chains have left the industrial base strained and unable to meet production surges.

The program features a distinguished panel of experts including Erica Ford, Principal, US Government and Public Sector People Advisory Services Leader at EY; Matthew Sermon, Executive Director of the U.S. Navy's Program Executive Office for Strategic Submarines; and Adele Ratcliff, Director, Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program at the United States Department of Defense. Together, they explore the multifaceted challenges of recruiting and training over 100,000 new workers equipped with essential industrial skills to fulfill the Navy's ambitious production targets.

This program discusses strategies for attracting talent and enhancing skills training within the submarine workforce, and the necessity for a collaborative approach involving government, industry, non-profits, and academia to foster a resilient and capable submarine industrial base. This program not only highlights the economic and security imperatives but also poses crucial questions on how the broader workforce ecosystem can unite to overcome these formidable challenges and ensure the Navy's continued undersea dominance.

Challenges in Workforce Recruitment and Development

Erica Ford, Principal in EY’s Government and Public Sector (GPS) and Leader of the People Advisory Services practice

outlines the complexity of recruiting 100,000 individuals with varying skills and backgrounds, emphasizing that traditional, one-size-fits-all recruitment strategies are no longer effective. The Navy needs a multifaceted approach that appeals to different demographics, from young people just starting their careers to retired veterans with a wealth of experience. Ford points out that the challenge is not just about numbers but also about finding individuals with the specialized skills required for submarine construction—a field almost exclusively managed by the defense industrial base.

Building a pipeline of talent is crucial, and this requires early engagement with potential recruits, starting as early as elementary school. The goal is to broaden their career perspectives to include the possibility of working in submarine construction. This involves partnering with trade schools and other educational institutions to introduce students to the wide range of careers available in this field. Ford highlights the importance of cross-training within the workforce, allowing individuals to develop new skills and advance their careers within the submarine industrial complex.

Long-Term Commitment and Career Opportunities

Ford also emphasizes that these are not just jobs but long-term careers, supported by significant investments from the Navy and Congress. The Navy's commitment to this revitalization effort means that these jobs will be around for a long time, providing stability and opportunities for career growth. The discussion highlights the need to move away from binary thinking, where individuals are either fully committed to one path or not at all. Instead, the Navy's recruitment strategy must be flexible, accommodating different career trajectories and allowing individuals to develop their skills over time.

Community Engagement and Building Awareness

Adele Ratcliff, Director of the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program at the DoD expands on the importance of community engagement in this effort. She describes it as a "hearts and minds" campaign aimed at rekindling the relationship between communities and manufacturing, particularly in the context of submarine construction. As manufacturing has moved offshore, there has been a decline in skilled trades and the Navy is now working to rebuild this workforce. This involves promoting the prestige of manufacturing and engaging with local communities to build a sustainable talent pipeline.

Ratcliffe highlights the role of initiatives like Project MFG, a welding competition designed to make manufacturing careers more appealing to young people. These competitions expose students and communities to the high standards and opportunities available in the submarine industrial base, helping to modernize school systems and training programs to meet the Navy's needs.

Successes and Future Directions

Matthew Sermon, Executive Director of the U.S. Navy's Program Executive Office for Strategic Submarines added pivotal information to the discussion by sharing the progress made in building the submarine workforce and the challenges that remain. He notes that the Navy is on track to double its submarine construction capacity in the coming years, but this requires a concerted effort across government, industry and communities. The Navy has launched various marketing and awareness campaigns, including partnerships with NASCAR and Major League Baseball, to attract a broader audience to these career opportunities.

Sermon shared examples of successful community engagement programs, such as a pilot program in Philadelphia that has since expanded to other regions. These programs bring together schools, local governments and employers to create talent pipelines that feed into the defense industrial base. The success of these programs is measured not just by the number of individuals recruited but also by the retention rates of new employees and the participation of small and medium-sized companies.

The End Goal

This program brings to light the challenges of the Navy's mission to rebuild its submarine fleet and the workforce required to make it a reality. The discussion highlights the critical importance of early engagement, community involvement and flexible career pathways in attracting and retaining the skilled workforce essential to this national security priority. Ultimately, the broader implications of this initiative extend beyond the Navy, impacting the lives of the communities and individuals who are key players in this transformative mission.