trade-related education curriculum and their shipbuilding discipline may be considered for an advanced discipline, where they complete strategically timed on-the-job training and academic coursework to earn an associate degree, offered in partnership with local community colleges. Dr. Latitia D. McCane, director of education for The Apprentice School, addressed the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing on “Registered apprenticeship: Scaling the workforce for the Future” on November 5, 2025, sharing “Our nation is currently experiencing a generational increase in demand for shipbuilding capacity as well as urgent need to expand and improve the maritime industrial base. Our success hinges upon rapidly growing and retaining a skilled workforce of craftsmen, leaders and scholars. Enhancing and expanding our nation’s apprenticeship programs is vital to that effort.” Workforce development is not just about skills training; it’s about culture, too. Companies that invest in leadership development, cultivate learning organizations and create inclusive environments will succeed at attracting and retaining talent in a competitive labor market. AME: CONNECTING MANUFACTURERS, EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITIES A unique strength of AME is its ability to connect diverse stakeholders in meaningful ways. The organization serves as a bridge between manufacturers, educators, workforce leaders and communities, fostering dialogues that translate strategy into sustained performance. Through events, membership and programs, AME creates opportunities for participants to share real, actionable insights: • Conferences, summits, workshops and webinars provide opportunities for practitioners to learn from thought leaders and peers alike. • Regional AME Consortia foster deeper collaborations among local companies facing shared challenges. • Best-practice tours at in-person events allow participants to see excellence in action and bring those learnings back to their own workplaces. • Networking forums help leaders build relationships that accelerate improvement efforts. By facilitating these connections, AME helps break down silos between industry and education, aligning training programs with industry needs and ensuring that workforce development strategies are targeted, relevant and sustainable. 136 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 13, ISSUE 01
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