BG Workforce Solutions was honored to celebrate the grand opening and blessing ceremony of Honolulu Community College's Advanced Manufacturing Training Suite on Wednesday, August 6th, as the institution's implementing partner and official training provider. This effort was made possible by collaboration between Honolulu Community College, the U.S. Department of War's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program (IBAS), and Kuʻi Hao. BG Workforce is proud to provide innovative instruction and state-of-the-art equipment to train Hawai'i's next generation of skilled manufacturing and maritime industrial professionals.
This new facility is outfitted with powerful machining equipment from industry-leading manufacturers to rapidly and effectively train active-duty military, shipyard workers, and students in multiple manufacturing and maritime industrial trades. DoW Senior Officials remarked that this is the first facility of this type in the world, calling it the benchmark for the mainland.
Local Impact
At the ceremony, Government Leaders stated that this project brings together two really important goals for the state: strengthening the Department of War's Industrial Base, and training and upskilling workers across the state of Hawai'i.
What we heard today from the speakers is it's difficult to maintain manufacturing because of the lack of scale, and this kind of infusion of resources and partnerships lets that happen so Hawai'i stays competitive and meets the needs of every industry on our island. These are high-paying jobs and highly skilled labor.
Wendy Hensel, President, University of Hawai'i System and University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
National Security
The impact of the Advanced Manufacturing Program will reach far beyond Hawai'i. Government Leaders noted the opportunity for families to elevate, including the ability to work at the Naval shipyard repairing the nuclear submarines that protect the nation and support regional bases.
Strengthening the U.S. industrial base in the Indo-Pacific begins with a skilled, local workforce. This facility gives Hawaiʻi the advanced manufacturing capabilities needed to support mission readiness, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, and meet the demands of national security.
DoW Senior Officials, Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program
In-Demand Skills
The skills taught at the Advanced Manufacturing Program are in high demand. Government Leaders described the program as meeting a need so that the region doesn't have to wait for a part from Germany or the continent coming through San Diego and taking two or three months to arrive.
I can assure you that the demand from the military here in INDOPACOM is going to be high.
DoW Senior Officials, Special Operations Command Pacific
Rapid Development & Fielding of Capability
The first cohort of students, comprised of civilians and uniformed service members, began training on August 11th.
This project demonstrates the excellence of our Operations & Management team. We commenced work on January 31st of this year. Going from an empty building to a fully-capable training site in just over six months is an unprecedented success for our partners. There is no other team in the country who can execute at this scale and speed.
Frank Cercone, Chief Executive Officer, BG Workforce Solutions