A new apprenticeship program is bringing together Galveston College and Gulf Copper Davie to prepare students for careers in shipbuilding while giving them the opportunity to earn a paycheck as they train.
The program was highlighted by Juliet Stipeche, executive director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board, during a conversation with Doreen Bridges, director of continuing education at Galveston College. Bridges explained that students in the apprenticeship will divide their time between the classroom and the workplace, spending half the day in school and the other half working.
“It’s an apprenticeship program, and what that means is that students will earn while they learn,” Bridges said.
Galveston College is developing the training in partnership with Gulf Copper Davie and the U.S. Department of Labor. Students will receive training in maritime safety, including OSHA maritime training, as well as shipfitting and fabrication. The program is designed to lead to a Department of Labor certification in shipfitting, giving graduates a recognized credential they can use in shipbuilding.
The partnership is also an example of regional workforce alignment: an education provider working directly with an employer to develop training around the skills and specifications the industry needs.
“So it’s awesome to see that Galveston College is working specifically with the company, Gulf Copper, to design a program that meets their unique needs,” Stipeche said.
That employer connection is especially important for shipfitting because the college is developing curriculum for a specialized field that has not had a dedicated training pipeline in the Gulf Coast for decades.
“We haven’t built ships in the Gulf Coast since World War II, and so it’s really exciting that we’re bringing this back, but there’s no curriculum,” Bridges said.
To address that gap, Galveston College is working with Gulf Copper Davie to develop the curriculum and make sure students are learning the appropriate fabrication methods, tools, and workplace practices.
The program is currently free for participating students through grant funding that covers their curriculum for all six semesters. Students also receive pay while participating in the apprenticeship, creating a pathway where they can gain classroom instruction, hands-on experience, and industry credentials without paying tuition for the program.
And shipfitting is only one part of the workforce pipeline being developed. Bridges said Gulf Copper will also be hiring for a range of industry and engineering positions as the company grows.
For students considering a technical career, the apprenticeship offers a direct connection between education and employment. Rather than completing training and then searching for a job, participants can gain experience in the workplace while completing their education.
The partnership also reflects a broader approach to workforce development in the region: colleges, employers and workforce organizations working together to identify emerging needs and build training around them.
For Galveston College and Gulf Copper Davie, that work is creating a new pathway into an industry that is expanding its presence on the island and creating demand for workers with specialized skills.
Explore in-demand careers and connect with top employers at upcoming Workforce Solutions hiring events. Register today to secure your spot and access career-building resources.
