Virginia Digital Shipbuilding Program (VDSP): Building an Agile Modern Workforce to Improve Performance in the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Industry

Industry 4.0 is the latest stage in the Industrial Revolution and is reflected in the digital transformation and use of emergent technologies including the Internet of Things, Big Data, Robotic automation of processes, 3D printing and additive manufacturing, drones and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the manufacturing industry. The implementation of these technologies in the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Industry is currently in a nascent stage. Considering this, there is huge potential to increase cost savings, decrease production timelines, and drive down inefficiencies in Lifecyle management of ships. However, the implementation of these Industry 4.0 technologies is hindered by a noticeable gap in workforce capability and capacity. The shipbuilding and ship repair industry is projected to lose approximately 33% of skilled workforce and 48% of management by 2028. With an aging workforce and an incoming digital generation that excels in tech savviness, flexibility, global thinking, and multi-tasking it is crucial to be innovative in workforce development. The Virginia Digital Shipbuilding Program responds to this need by providing a process and platform to address education, training, adoption of innovative new technology and the ability to provide real-time solutions to current and future industry problems. This paper will focus on the three pillars of Digital Shipbuilding – Career Pathway Mapping and Curriculum Development, Outreach and Workforce Development, and Research and Development. Additionally, this paper will address how the team is ensuring that stackable, transferable education and certification processes are implemented between military and industry to facilitate the transition of veterans to the civilian workforce