A new partnership between Senesco Marine and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is helping address the growing demand for skilled welders and shipbuilders across Rhode Island’s manufacturing and maritime industries. Developed in response to a $78.6 million contract to build a new hybrid-electric ferry for the Delaware River and Bay Authority, CCRI’s 14-week Welding Training Program gives students hands-on experience while helping prepare the workforce needed to complete the project.
The program, funded by Polaris MEP, provides free welding training to accepted students, with instruction and practical experience designed to prepare graduates for careers in shipbuilding, fabrication, construction and manufacturing. With construction of the 75-car, 400-passenger ferry expected to continue through summer 2029, the project represents a significant opportunity to strengthen Rhode Island’s shipbuilding workforce and create a pipeline of skilled tradespeople ready to meet industry demand.
“The total impact of Rhode Island’s Blue Economy is estimated at $5.3 billion and employs more than 36,000 people, and we are standing at the heart of it,” said Christian Cowan, executive director of Polaris MEP, referring to Senesco Marine’s Quonset shipyard. The partnership demonstrates how collaboration among manufacturers, educational institutions and workforce development organizations can help address critical skills gaps while supporting one of Rhode Island’s most important economic sectors. As demand for welders and shipbuilders continues to grow, programs like this are essential to ensuring Rhode Island has the talent and capabilities to sustain its maritime manufacturing industry.
Read more HERE