Apprenticeship Cohort #4 Completes Weld School, Moves to Active Production

April 28, 2022

Yesterday, Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI) celebrated the promotion of Apprenticeship Cohort #4 from Weld School to the active Production line. This milestone marks the completion of the initial 12-week training period which takes place at the Charles W. Jones Memorial Training Academy, just outside the main PSI fence-line.

Apprentice Cohort #4 began their journey on February 7, 2022 with an anticipated graduation date of February 7, 2025.

Since the reinstitution of the PSI Apprenticeship Program in May 2021, this is the fourth group to complete Weld School training and continue on to the active Production environment where the remainder of the three-year apprenticeship program is carried out.

This milestone marks the cohort’s first pay increase following their performance reviews with the Joint Apprentice Committee (JAC) – a group comprised of former apprentices turned Journeyworkers, representatives from the PSI Training Department, and union officials. The review process was bookended with a catered lunch from Zachary’s BBQ, a cake celebration, and new employee welcome boxes were distributed to those who had not transferred in from the Shipyard Laborer Program – a workforce development program created in partnership with PIDC and West Philly Skills Initiative (WPSI), which saw great success last autumn.

Following the celebration, the Training Department confirmed which Production departments and supervisors each of the apprentices will be reporting to starting on Thursday, April 28.

“This group is especially curious and definitely not afraid to ask questions,” said Ray Mee, Training Manager. “They are all hard workers and determined to learn and grow to eventually become Journeyworkers.”

In April 2021, PSI received $720,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD) through its Small Shipyard Grant Program to assist in the resumption of the comprehensive three-year apprentice training program.

Cohort #1 will begin its second year of the program beginning next week.

The Summer 2022 Apprenticeship Application Window is currently open with a deadline of Friday, May 13. Find more details and the link to apply here.