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Cutline: Nunez Community College is partnering with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) on its Maritime Workforce Imperative – Gulf Coast initiative. Nunez and SME will host a kickoff meeting for industry and community partners Jan. 14 on the Nunez campus.
Nunez Community College in Chalmette is proud to announce its participation in the Maritime Workforce Imperative – Gulf Coast, a new initiative led by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) to bolster the maritime manufacturing workforce in a region critical to America’s shipbuilding and naval defense operations.
Nunez and SME will host a kickoff meeting Jan. 14 on the Nunez campus. The networking event will include Nunez faculty and staff along with invited partners and stakeholders from industry, K-12, economic development, community-based organizations, state workforce and education.
This collaborative effort responds to the urgent need for skilled workers in maritime manufacturing, particularly in shipbuilding and submarine production. The Gulf Coast region is a prime hub for this work, housing shipyards and supply chain operations essential to national security. With more than 75,000 maritime jobs projected to be needed nationally by 2028, the Maritime Workforce Pipeline – Gulf Coast aims to close workforce gaps and prepare a future-ready pipeline of talent.
“The maritime industrial base is essential to our nation’s security, and the pace of technology advancement means we must act now to prepare the next generation of talent,” said Jeannine Kunz, SME executive director and CEO. “Through this initiative, we are creating a strong, connected workforce pipeline that will not only meet today’s needs but also ensure our shipbuilding and defense capabilities remain resilient, innovative, and ready for the future.”
Through this initiative, SME will partner with six leading community colleges across Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana to build a comprehensive K–20 career pathway system for maritime manufacturing. With SME’s proven Manufacturing Imperative – Workforce Pipeline Challenge (MI-WPC) model, the program will create dual-credit opportunities, clear career pathways, and industry-aligned training methods to develop a skilled workforce for the Gulf Coast’s critical maritime sector.
“Being selected as one of six community colleges across the Gulf Coast is an honor and a testament to Nunez’s success in developing and delivering programs that create a skilled workforce in advanced manufacturing,” said Dr. Tina Tinney, Chancellor of Nunez Community College. “We look forward to working closely with SME and our partner colleges in leading the way. Together, we’ll tackle critical workforce shortages with workforce solutions that address the unfilled manufacturing jobs across our region. This is how we strengthen our local economies and ensure we remain competitive in today’s global market.”
The Maritime Workforce Pipeline – Gulf Coast builds on the success of Manufacturing Imperative – Workforce Pipeline Challenge (MI-WPC), SME’s three-year pilot program that challenges 25 participating community and technical colleges to integrate bold, innovative strategies into their manufacturing education plans with a goal to attract 1,000 students at each, resulting in a total 75,000 or more qualified workers in pursuit of manufacturing careers. This initiative will also leverage the signature program of the SME Education Foundation, SME PRIME®, which provides essential resources such as equipment, curriculum, teacher training, student scholarships, funding for extracurricular activities, and support for long-term program sustainability. Combining the promising practices of MI-WPC and SME PRIME creates a connected talent ecosystem—beginning in the Gulf Coast—and accelerates pathways into maritime manufacturing careers.
Through this initiative, Nunez will work with SME to implement a whole-system approach, including curriculum development, hands-on training, national certifications, and strategic partnerships with local high schools and industry leaders.
