Lisa Brown: From Apprentice to Operating the Shipyard’s Centerpiece

Apprentice Lisa Brown is currently training on PSI’s “Goliath” gantry crane

May 11, 2023

Almost touching the cloudy sky, high above Dry Dock 4, Lisa Brown of Apprentice Cohort #4 sits in the control room of Philly Shipyard’s large, blue gantry crane – known to employees as “Goliath” – on Day 7 of her crane operator training.

“This is where I wanted to be,” said Brown.

After beginning her career as a Laborer in October 2021, Lisa joined Apprentice Cohort #4 in February 2022 as a Shipbuilder. From there, she spent time learning the ropes in the Grand Block/Section Assembly Department. During her time there, Lisa gained certifications in High-Reach, Forklift, and Crane Operation. One day, the Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) team asked for help with a crane in the Grand Block Shop and Lisa was able to step in.

“At my one-year review, I was asked about what job interested me most and I said crane operation,” said Brown. “About a week later, there was a position open and I started training [soon after] in Goliath.”

While most apprentices complete their program on a regular track, others are called upon to step into new positions before graduating. About 1 in 3 current Production Supervisors at PSI are apprentice graduates. This statistic speaks volumes to the fact that the company promotes from within the organization. With certified apprentice programs for Outfitting, Shipbuilding, Welding, and Machine Operating, PSI depends on the growth of apprentices into journey-workers and from there into leadership roles.

Within her first week, Lisa was able to take part in a shipbuilding milestone as the Goliath crane placed the first block in Dry Dock 4 during the Keel Laying Ceremony for National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) 3 – destined to be the first purpose-built training ship for Maine Maritime Academy.

As anyone who has trained as apprentice could tell you, the hours can seem long and the program requires a lot of work and sweat. But the apprenticeship program is the lifeblood of the company’s Production team. Some advice and motivation for the tough days:

“Just wait … it gets better!” said Brown.

Interested in becoming our next apprenticeship success story? Our current apprentice application window is open through May 26. You can learn more and apply today by clicking here!