SECNAV Del Toro Unveils Game-Changing Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative

WARREN, Michigan – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro unveiled the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative (M3) on July 22. This new program is a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local entities aimed at revitalizing the maritime industrial workforce. The announcement was made at Macomb Community College, one of the academic partners involved in the initiative.

The M3 initiative will kick off by focusing on submarine production skills. Training programs will eventually expand to cover other types of ships. The goal is to address gaps in the maritime workforce by establishing training pipelines that emphasize maritime welding and machining. Secretary Del Toro emphasized the importance of this initiative in securing the Navy’s future capabilities and strengthening its industrial base.

“I’m thrilled to be in Michigan today to launch an investment of over $50 million for this critical effort to help rebuild our nation’s maritime manufacturing workforce,” said Secretary Del Toro. “This initiative underpins our Navy’s commitment to strengthen maritime dominance by enhancing strategic training partnerships across federal, state and local entities while leveraging Michigan’s long-standing reputation as a manufacturing powerhouse.”

Michigan’s manufacturing sector has long been a leader in semiconductor chips, electric vehicle batteries, and clean energy. The M3 initiative aims to leverage this expertise to meet the Navy’s demands. Schools and industry leaders that once shaped the automotive sector will now contribute to sustaining the Navy’s fleet. Graduates from M3 training programs will be placed with maritime suppliers to fulfill their hiring needs.

The initiative will also capitalize on assessments from the Department of Defense (DoD) Industrial Base Policy and programs like SkillBridge, which connects service members with job experiences during their last 180 days of service. This will be particularly beneficial in Michigan, a state known for its strong veteran population and robust labor force.

Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative. “By partnering with Michigan’s auto manufacturing industry to grow the SIB, we are reimagining what is possible for manufacturing communities not just throughout Michigan, but across the country,” she said.

The announcement was made alongside notable figures, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Senator Gary Peters. Governor Whitmer spoke about Michigan’s longstanding manufacturing capabilities and its significant contribution to the defense sector.

“As we invest in training the next generation of workers, we send a clear message to manufacturers across the nation: come to Michigan,” Governor Whitmer said. “Our defense industry contributes $30 billion to our economy, supporting more than 166,000 jobs and nearly 4,000 businesses. We produce more military vehicles than any other state and are home to major defense companies including General Dynamics, BAE, and GM Defense.”

With investments exceeding $50 million and a focus on accelerated training, the M3 Initiative aims to fortify the maritime workforce, ensuring the Navy’s long-term maritime dominance.