Aidt News

Austal USA has arguably been one of the more progressive and aggressive U.S. shipyards in its investment in technology, facilities and people. Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle took the helm a little more than six months ago, and Maritime Reporter was able to catch up with him recently for insights on pressing matters of the day. You have been in the president’s chair at Austal USA for more than half a year; how is your mission different today than from when you were named to the top spot last December? Honestly my mission has not changed much since December.

Mobile, Ala.-based builder continues building next generation of U.S. •    Received Award for Excellence in Safety for 3rd year in a row from the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) for commitment to improving safety and health in the workplace. The industry average Total Recordable Incidence Rate in 2011 was 9.2, four times higher than Austal USA’s rate of 2.3. •    Received Navy construction contracts for 4 Joint High Speed Vessels (worth $634.7 million) and 4 Littoral Combat Ships (worth $x billion).

Presidents of Shipbuilders Council of America and Ingalls Shipbuilding to speak at GSSC's fifth annual Conference. Matt Paxton, president of the Shipbuilders Council of America will present a national perspective of the shipbuilding industry at GSSC’s fifth annual conference, March 27-28, 2012. Irwin Edenzon, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, will focus on workforce development in light of a changing economy. A tour of the AIDT Maritime Training Center, Vendor Expo, networking reception, and Interesting and timely breakout sessions addressing environmental issues currently impacting the industry and welding processes to improve worker productivity complete the agenda for the two-day event. GSSC was founded in 2006.

12 Graduate from GSSC Shipfitter Boot Camp and Have Jobs Waiting for Them. In November 2011, 18 individuals started an intensive 10-week shipfitter boot camp that was developed by the Gulf States Shipbuilders Consortium (GSSC) to prepare workers for entry-level employment in the maritime industry. Before an invitation was extended to participate in the training program, candidates completed prequalification activities that included drug testing, WorkKeys® assessments, industry presentations, shipyard tours, and interviews. On Thursday, March 1, the 12 individuals who successfully completed the pilot program participated in a graduation ceremony hosted by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) at its Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center (AMTC) in Gulfport, Mississippi.

The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce has recently confirmed that Austal topped the list of local manufacturers for having the most employees. Austal’s U.S. facility now has 1,257 full-time employees, up from just under 900 in the beginning of the year. Austal’s recruiting staff was challenged in the beginning of the year with hiring 100 qualified applicants a month and are predicted to continue to do so through May and June. Since January, Austal has added 370 new employees to our staff. The majority of the new-hires are from the Mobile/Baldwin County communities, ranging in age from 18 to 64 years, including 35 veterans. They do this through various venues…

On the evening of September 2, 2009, Austal’s US operation in Mobile, Ala., honored the first graduates of its four-year apprenticeship program. The graduates honored at this banquet received their certificates of completion and designation as Department of Labor Class A Journeymen. Austal USA’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Joseph J. Rella, was the key speaker at the celebration. Rella stated, “the apprentice training does more than ensure skill sets that far exceed industry standards, the program cultivates our future leaders in the organization. It is essential for a shipyard to continually develop its new entrants into the workforce. The program is certified by the US Department of Labor, Ala.