Fixing transportation issues is key to getting more workers into US submarine yards and keeping them, Navy official says
The Navy is tackling local barriers like transportation and housing as it works to recruit and retain more submarine workers.
Addressing transportation challenges is crucial for the U.S. Navy to attract and retain workers at its submarine yards, according to a Navy official. The Navy is examining local factors, including transportation, demographics, education, unemployment, and cost of living, to understand the unique needs of each region it serves. Programs have been implemented to provide workers with gas cards and bus passes, making commuting easier, and boosting ridership in some cases, like the one between General Dynamics Electric Boat and the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.
These initiatives have led to a more than doubling of ridership year over year, at no cost to the Navy. However, housing remains a significant challenge, and the Navy has focused on expanding affordable housing options and partnering with yards or vendors to support workers. The goal is to rebuild the network of suppliers, builders, and manufacturers that construct Navy submarines, and to attract and retain skilled workers to meet the service's shipbuilding goals.
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