Page 25: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Q4 2015)

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can arguably do something about in the short term. Facing a renewed onslaught of pressure from Jones Act naysayers who ? nd themselves emboldened by of all things, the tragic sinking of a U.S. ? ag cargo ship, U.S. shipyards are also see- ing the beginning of the end of fat backlogs that, to a large extent, were fed by the latest, now extinguished ‘oil boom.’

These two issues, in the hands of politicians and the greater, global economy, will likely sort themselves out in due time.

The issue(s) of ? nding and training a professional labor force, by itself, will not.

Regardless of the ebb and ? ow of this highly cyclical indus- try, all sectors of the maritime industry face a growing exodus of talent because of retirement and competition from other in- dustries. Shipyards in particular ? nd themselves in the unenvi- able position of having to ? ll those vacancies from a shrinking pool of workers. Worse, the skills gap that separates those who might want to earn a very good living in the nation’s ship- yards is signi? cant, and it is growing. In response, the united approach represented by the National Maritime Education

Council and its membership – anything but new – has stepped up decidedly into high gear.

According to NMEC Executive Director Tim Johnson and

NMEC Chair Mike Torrech, NMEC’s new business plan is designed to reduce the cost of entry for companies joining the organization by signi? cantly lowering membership dues. In its infancy NMEC dues required a substantial initial investment based on the number of employees in the organization fol- lowed by annual dues at 10% of the initial investment. While a number of companies enthusiastically supported the creation and development of the NMEC, the original dues structured proved to be a deterrent to the growth of the organization.

When NMEC was ? rst formed, membership required an up- front investment of $20,000 for a company with 500 - 999 full-time employees, followed by annual dues of 10% of the up-front investment. Under the revised schedule, that same NMEC Strong: Shipyards, Skilled Craft Providers,

Associations, Suppliers & Classi? cation Societies

Bollinger American Welding FMT Shipyard

Shipyards Society (AWS)

Continental Gulf States Shipbuilders MHI

Maritime Consortium (GSSC)

Ingalls ShipbuildingVirginia Ship Repair VT Halter

Association (VSRA) Marine

Newport News Wesco Gas & Welding Ameri-Force

Shipbuilding Supply, Inc.

Bishop State Alabama Technology NSC

Community College Network (ATN) Technologies

Signal InternationalAmerican Bureau of NCCER

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