General Dynamics Bath Iron Works officially opened its new Trades Learning Center May 15 during a visit by Gov. Paul R. LePage. The center is to provide training space and equipment for newly hired pipefitters, welders, tinsmiths, electricians and other tradesmen and women as they undergo multi-week curricula to ground them in shipyard safety, specialized skills for their trades, naval shipbuilding terminology and more.

The facility is important to the continued stability and growth of skilled manufacturing jobs, as the shipyard plans to hire several hundred skilled workers this year to build Arleigh Burke and Zumwalt class destroyers for the Navy, according to a news release. Bath Iron Works is currently building three Zumwalt class destroyers and two Arleigh Burkes, and expects to have a third Arleigh Burke under construction this summer.

Bath Iron Works President Fred Harris said the Trades Learning Center was made possible through a focused investment by the company coupled with support from the Maine Quality Centers to aid with training.

The new training facility will ensure Bath Iron Works employees are ready to perform their jobs in the new manufacturing facilities that are being constructed with support from the state of Maine through the establishment of a Pine Tree Zone and a Tax Increment Financing District created by the city of Bath.

“Competition between states for manufacturing jobs has never been greater, and having skilled people to fill those jobs is critical,” Harris said. “Through this new facility, we are helping to build the skills our new employees will need to work safely and productively.”

Harris led LePage, first lady Ann LePage, Labor Commissioner Jeanne Paquette, Bath City Council Chairwoman Mari Eosco, Bath City Manager Bill Giroux, Southern Maine Community College President Ron Cantor, and Maine Community College System Center for Career Development Executive Director Jim McGowan, and other guests on a tour.

“Global competition for manufacturing is fierce, but Bath Iron Works constantly leads the ship-building industry through innovation, cost-effectiveness, precision work and the latest modern technology,” LePage said. “The Trades Learning Center is BIW’s latest initiative to retain the highly skilled professionals who are crucial to the shipyard’s ability to compete worldwide. I commend BIW for its dedication to creating and preserving first-rate jobs for Mainers and for continuing our state’s long and proud maritime tradition.”

“The Maine Community College System is pleased to be working with BIW to develop and deliver training programs for occupations such as marine electricians,” McGowan said. “These efforts keep both Maine workers and businesses competitive it today’s rapidly changing global economy.

“This is a great opportunity for young people in this region. This training facility will prepare hundreds of people to be the next generation of shipbuilders,” Giroux said.

Bath Iron Works is the state’s largest manufacturer and one of Maine’s largest private employers with a 2012 payroll of about $350 million. Its employees come from every county in Maine except for Piscataquis. Bath Iron Works conducted $67 million in business with 355 Maine companies in 12 counties in 2012, and $49 million of that was with 308 small businesses.