Joe Rella, President of St. Johns Ship Building testified on behalf of Shipbuilders Council of America before the U.S. House this week, emphasizing the important roles of small businesses in sustaining America’s maritime economy. He explained the necessity of mandatory compliance measures within contracts to ensure that enough work is set aside for small shipyards.
Rella explained how in the industry, many minor shipyards serve as vital training grounds for shipbuilders before they advance to larger yards. By strengthening their job security through structured contracts, he argued, the maritime industry could enhance its workforce retention and provide a good environment for these shipbuilders’ long-term career growth.
“The biggest reason we have a hard time retaining employees in small shipyards is the lack of a horizon on the work,” Rella stated. “We need block buys to provide stability so workers can plan their futures with confidence.”
