Philly Shipyard Apprenticeship Links Students & Trade Careers

A new collaboration among Delaware County Community College (DCCC), Interboro High School, and Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc. (HPSI) has established a direct high school to apprenticeship route for 15 high school seniors to work at HPSI after graduation.

According to a Community College Daily report, as part of DCCC's PACE+ Pre-Apprenticeships to Apprenticeships for Carpenters and Electricians, the program is a one-semester, three-course pathway totaling nine credits. The program combines lectures, labs, and hands-on experience for student participants.

Students earn college credits, a pre-apprenticeship credential, OSHA and CPR credentials, and foundational skills for the skilled trades and shipbuilding. Students can also earn an associate degree at DCCC if they choose to continue their education.

Upon completing the DCCC program and graduating from high school, students will be eligible to apply for HPSI's apprenticeship program at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

The initiative is funded by a Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry grant and uses a School-to-Work approach to strengthen the regional skilled trades workforce.

“This partnership reflects exactly how secondary and postsecondary education and industry should work together,” said DCCC's Karen Kozachyn, vice president for workforce and economic development, in a statement shared with Community College Daily. “PACE+ is about building talent locally and creating long-term economic opportunity.”