By VOICES Staff.
As the Trump administration’s focus on domestic energy production drives new opportunities in American shipbuilding, the Jones Act remains critical to workforce development initiatives across the maritime industry. Eastern Shipbuilding Group recently launched an innovative Marine Electrician Apprenticeship Program to grow Florida’s 65,900-strong maritime workforce—but warns that any Jones Act repeal would devastate such long-term training investments. With Trump shipping policies creating another boom cycle, Eastern Shipbuilding Group CEO Joey D’Isernia explains the shipyard’s approach to American Maritime VOICES readers and why Trump shipbuilding initiatives must be paired with laws like the Jones Act to be successful.
Through five key questions, D’Isernia outlines the apprenticeship program’s structure—combining classroom instruction with hands-on shipyard training—and explains how America can unleash its maritime dominance.
Q: What inspired Eastern Shipbuilding Group to launch this apprenticeship program now, and what do you hope this will achieve for Florida’s 65,900-strong maritime workforce?
We launched the Marine Electrician Apprenticeship Program as part of our BUILD – Building Up Individuals through Learning and Development – initiative. Shipbuilding is a highly specialized craft, and there is strong demand across Florida’s maritime workforce for skilled trades, particularly in electrical work. By creating this program in partnership with Haney Technical College, we’re investing directly in the next generation of shipbuilders.
For Eastern, this is about building reliable pipelines of talent and providing our employees with clear, rewarding career paths. For Florida’s broader 65,900-strong maritime workforce, it means strengthening the state’s capacity to deliver critical vessel construction and repair projects while opening doors for more individuals to pursue stable, long-term maritime careers.
Q: Can you walk us through what a typical week looks like for these marine electrician apprentices?
Apprentices will learn while they earn through a structured three-year program. A typical week balances:
Classroom instruction at Haney Technical College – where apprentices study electrical theory, safety, and marine-specific systems.
Hands-on training at Eastern’s shipyards – working side-by-side with experienced mentors to apply what they’ve learned on real vessels, from pulling cables and installing equipment to troubleshooting electrical systems.
Along the way, apprentices benefit from periodic pay increases tied to performance and commitment. Those who complete the program will graduate with an industry-recognized marine electrician certification and the opportunity to advance into First Class Marine Electrical roles here at Eastern.
Q: Can you please tell us more about the Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s BUILD initiative and what other ways your company is supporting career development in the shipbuilding industry?
BUILD (Building Up Individuals through Learning and Development) is our comprehensive workforce development initiative. The Marine Electrician Apprenticeship is one example of how we’re investing in our people, but it’s part of a larger strategy to create opportunities for skill development, career growth, and long-term retention.
Through BUILD, we’re:
Partnering with local schools and technical colleges like Haney Technical College to provide formal training programs.
Supporting student welding and fabrication programs in Bay County schools, including artificial reef projects that build both technical skills and environmental awareness.
Hosting job fairs and recruitment events to connect local talent with rewarding careers in shipbuilding.
Offering pathways for internal promotion, so shipbuilders can grow into leadership and First Class craft roles.
At its core, BUILD is about ensuring that shipbuilding remains a career – not just a job – and that the next generation of maritime workers has the tools, training, and support they need to succeed.
Q: How important is the Jones Act to your shipyard and to your workforce?
The Jones Act is absolutely critical to all U.S. shipyards, including Eastern. Without it, there would be little incentive for vessel owners to build domestically, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base—and the workforce it supports—would quickly disappear. Right now, due to regulation cuts and focus on domestic energy production driven by the current administration, the industry is positioned for growth and we need the skilled workforce to support that growth..
Foreign shipyards in Asia and Europe benefit from a combination of lower labor costs, stronger supply chains, and significant subsidies that give them steady contract throughput. That steady work strengthens their industrial base, drives efficiency, and reduces costs over time. By contrast, U.S. shipyards face irregular demand and limited opportunities to achieve those same efficiencies.
To truly compete in the global marketplace, the Jones Act must be preserved and strengthened. In parallel, government policy needs to evolve—through acquisition strategies, long-term financing, and tax incentives—to encourage multi-vessel orders instead of one-off contracts. Predictable, multi-unit orders would allow U.S. shipyards to invest in modern technologies, train the next generation of shipbuilders, and ultimately reduce costs for vessel owners.
Q: If the Jones Act were weakened or repealed, how would this affect apprentices going through this program?
Apprenticeships thrive in stable industries, where experienced shipbuilders can mentor younger workers and pass on their craft. Unfortunately, the U.S. shipbuilding industry has long been plagued by boom-and-bust cycles. In downturns, younger shipbuilders often lose their jobs and leave the industry altogether, taking their skills with them. That is exactly why the workforce has atrophied over time.
Right now, the industry is in growth mode—but younger workers are understandably cautious. They ask: What happens five years from now? Will the work still be there? Apprenticeship programs require a multi-year commitment, and without long-term stability, many potential shipbuilders choose other careers.
If the Jones Act were weakened or repealed, this problem would only get worse. Without it, fewer ships would be built in the U.S., and the apprentices completing programs like ours would find no jobs waiting for them. The result would be a lost generation of shipbuilders and a weakened maritime industrial base.
The best way to reinvigorate the workforce is through robust apprenticeship programs supported by a strong Jones Act and smarter government policies. When workers know the industry is stable, they’re more willing to invest their time and energy into mastering the trade—and that’s what ensures the next generation of American shipbuilders.
Come Aboard
"*" indicates required fields