The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program has proven instrumental in strengthening America's defense workforce. Since beginning operations in 2021, the program has successfully trained over 777 students from 45 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Australia. Veterans make up a quarter of all participants, and the program maintains an exceptional 90% placement rate in defense industry positions.
A significant expansion occurred with the recent inauguration of the National Training Center, spanning 100,000 square feet at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research campus. This new facility will accommodate training for 1,000 students per year, addressing the pressing need for skilled workers in submarine and warship production.
This expansion comes at a crucial time, as the Navy pursues ambitious shipbuilding goals including new submarines and various surface vessels. The industry faces the challenge of recruiting and training 250,000 workers within the next decade, a task complicated by the significant reduction in American manufacturing capacity over the past 30 years.
Students complete an intensive 16-week curriculum focusing on one of five essential trades: welding, CNC machining, additive manufacturing, quality assurance, or non-destructive testing. The training program operates on three shifts, replicating defense industry operations, which run 24/7.
The initiative extends beyond mere job training, representing a comprehensive effort to rebuild America's maritime manufacturing capabilities while creating meaningful career opportunities. Each graduate plays a role in reinforcing the nation's industrial foundation and contributing to maritime security.