Gulf Coast Community College News

American shipyards form an important economic engine, supporting nearly 400,000 jobs, $25.1 billion of labor income and $37.3 billion in gross domestic product (GDP), according to figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD).It’s a good thing, then, that U.S. shipyards were deemed essential businesses amid COVID-19 and have remained up and running throughout the pandemic. And it’s even better that most yards have been able to keep their workers employed despite less than stable market conditions…

Please describe your professional background and what attracted you to your current position.In June 2020, I was named president and chief executive officer of Halter Marine. I had been retired around six years. My wife and I bought a piece of property outside of Brookhaven, Miss., and we were enjoying retired life split between our country property and our home in Gautier, Miss. Earlier this year, I was asked if I would consider a consulting role for Halter Marine, which led…

Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder Halter Marine is creating jobs, and through its partnership with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), training the apprentices to fill them. The recently launched apprenticeship program is designed in three components: on-the-job training, classroom training and a progressive wage increase as participants reach set milestones. It offers training in the craft labor fields of welding, ship fitting, pipe fitting, pipe welding and electrical.

Huntington Ingalls Industries hosted a graduation ceremony on Saturday for the company’s apprenticeship program at Ingalls Shipbuilding. Nine different crafts were represented among the 159 graduates of the 2019 class.Mississippi Speaker of the House, Philip Gunn, delivered the keynote address. “The prosperity of Mississippi begins with people like you,” he said. “The careers for which you are now prepared are the backbone of America. Over 60 percent of the jobs in America are held by people like you who make up a skilled and educated workforce.

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division hosted a ceremony on Saturday for 123 graduates of its apprentice program. The class of 2017 graduates represent several classes of shipyard trades. “You are each a vital member of the Ingalls Shipbuilding team that builds the most complex warships the world has ever known,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias told the graduates. “When you applied for this program, you were choosing to start down a path to becoming an Ingalls leader.

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant visited Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding facility, meeting with shipyard officials on workforce development and training initiatives and touring Ingalls' Maritime Training Academy, the company announced. "Mississippi is home to the greatest shipbuilders in the world and builds the most technologically advanced warships on the planet," Bryant said. "Workforce development is critical to ensuring Mississippians are prepared for skilled manufacturing jobs like those at Ingalls.

Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has donated $53,640 to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) for the purchase of welding machines to be used at the school's new Transitions Academy. The academy will be housed at MGCCC's West Harrison County Center in Long Beach, Miss. "Ingalls Shipbuilding and MGCCC have a longstanding partnership in workforce development and training," said Brian Cuccias, Ingalls Shipbuilding president. The academy…

Larry Porter, Master Trainer at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, was the recipient of the Gulf States Shipbuilders Consortium’s 2014 Navigator Award. Each year, GSSC honors an individual who has displayed outstanding leadership or made other significant contributions to the development of the maritime workforce. Porter received the award at the organization’s annual meeting held in Biloxi, Mississippi, April 2‐3, 2014. According to Byron Dunn, GSSC’s president, “Over the years that I have been honored to be associated with Larry…

Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division officially opened the company's brand-new, 70,000 square-foot Haley Reeves Barbour Maritime Training Academy today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The building, named for the former Mississippi governor, will serve as the training epicenter for Ingalls' apprentice program and will also help bolster the number of students. "Today symbolizes the state's commitment to workforce development and skills training for all of our working people so they can get better, higher-paying jobs," Barbour said.

Nearly 300 new Ingalls Shipbuilding employees receive a right royal welcome into the workforce. The new employees were welcomed by Governor Phil Bryant, Ingalls Shipbuilding President Irwin Edenzon and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College President Mary Graham during an apprentice graduation ceremony at the Biloxi Civic Center. The 295 graduates trained at Ingalls' Pascagoula, Gulfport and Avondale facilities as well as at area community colleges. "You've overcome challenges, met your commitments, and persevered," Edenzon said. Edenzon said the graduates are laying the groundwork to build not only Ingalls' future -- Pascagoula needs up to 2,000 new workers for the shipyard in the next 12 months -- but their own.

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.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) hosted groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Jackson County (Miss.) Maritime Trades Academy on June 8 with state and local officials participating. "The shipbuilding academy will help find new workers and upgrade the skills of current workers for our shipbuilders on the Coast and for our energy industry," said Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. A $20m HUD community development block grant was awarded by the state of Mississippi in August 2009 to build the academy.

The future USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) successfully “sailed away” from Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) Ingalls Operations Dec. 3 on its maiden voyage manned for the first time by the ship’s crew. Before transiting to its homeport of Norfolk, Va., the ship will sail to Panama City, Fla., for its commissioning ceremony. This milestone marks the government/industry team’s production completion of LPD 19, the first of this class of amphibious transport dock constructed completely at the Pascagoula, Miss. shipyard. The ceremonial commissioning of Mesa Verde is schedule to occur on Dec. 15 at 11:00 a.m. in Panama City, when the sponsor, Mrs. Linda Campbell, will give the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life!" Her husband, former Sen.

According to The Mississippi Press, there are several state and local tax incentives that Gulf LNG could seek as it proceeds with plan to construct a $600 million liquid natural gas terminal off Industrial Road. Gulf LNG, Jackson County Board of Supervisors and the Port of Pascagoula entered a sublease agreement Monday that enables the company to use 106 acres of land south of Chevron Refinery on the east side of the Bayou Casotte channel that the state leases to the Port of Pascagoula. On the state level, two tax incentives are exemptions for state corporate income tax liability and access to tax exempt bond financing. Locally, ad valorem exemptions are available.