Building Louisiana’s Shipbuilding Future: Delgado Hosts Shipbuilding + Welding Industry Roundtable

May 15, 2026

At the Delgado Community College River City Site and Advanced Manufacturing Center, leaders from across Louisiana’s shipbuilding, fabrication, and industrial sectors gathered for an important and timely conversation focused on the future of workforce development, talent cultivation, and strategic industry collaboration. The Shipbuilding + Welding Industry Roundtable served as a dynamic forum where education, industry, and workforce development intersected with a shared purpose: strengthening Louisiana’s shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing workforce pipeline.

Hosted through a collaborative effort between the School of Construction Arts & Technical Studies (CATS) at Delgado Community College and Delgado Workforce Development, the event welcomed executives, operations leaders, workforce partners, marine fabricators, welding contractors, manufacturing representatives, economic development stakeholders, and community partners from across the region.

Against the backdrop of Louisiana’s growing shipbuilding economy, the roundtable created a unique opportunity for open dialogue surrounding one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: building and sustaining a highly skilled workforce prepared to meet the demands of modern shipbuilding, structural fabrication, aluminum manufacturing, offshore support, and industrial maintenance.

Building Louisiana’s Shipbuilding Workforce Together

The event opened with a shared recognition that Louisiana stands at a pivotal moment. With increased demand in naval and defense shipbuilding, commercial vessel construction, offshore support operations, repair and drydock services, and port infrastructure expansion, industry leaders emphasized that workforce shortages remain one of the most significant barriers to growth.

Representatives from Delgado highlighted the institution’s commitment to serving as a strategic talent engine for the region through industry-responsive programming, accelerated training pathways, stackable credentials, and hands-on technical education aligned with employer needs.

The discussion quickly evolved into an engaging exchange of ideas, opportunities, and actionable solutions.

Key Partnership Opportunities Identified

Among the most impactful outcomes of the roundtable were several partnership opportunities identified between industry and Delgado, including:

Apprenticeship Development

Industry leaders expressed strong interest in expanding registered and customized apprenticeship models that allow students to earn while they learn while gaining direct exposure to real-world shipbuilding and fabrication environments.

Hiring Pipeline Alignment

Employers discussed the importance of creating stronger direct-to-hire pathways for Delgado students, ensuring graduates transition seamlessly from classroom and lab environments into high-demand careers in welding, pipefitting, structural fabrication, industrial maintenance, and marine construction.

Sponsored Training Cohorts

Companies explored opportunities to sponsor dedicated student cohorts tailored to their workforce needs, allowing Delgado to deliver customized curriculum, certifications, and equipment training aligned with specific operational requirements.

Industry Advisory Engagement

Participants also committed to serving in an advisory capacity to help guide curriculum development, equipment modernization, credential alignment, and emerging technology integration—ensuring Delgado programs continue to reflect the realities of today’s workforce.

A Collaborative Vision for the Future

One of the most energizing aspects of the event was the spirit of collaboration. Rather than viewing workforce development as a challenge to solve independently, attendees embraced a collective approach centered on shared accountability, long-term partnerships, and investment in the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

Faculty and leadership from the Delgado School of Construction Arts & Technical Studies and Delgado Workforce Development showcased Delgado’s state-of-the-art training capabilities at the River City Site and Advanced Manufacturing Center, highlighting welding laboratories, advanced manufacturing equipment, and opportunities for customized incumbent worker training.

The roundtable reinforced Delgado’s position not simply as an educational institution, but as an active workforce partner committed to supporting Louisiana’s economic growth, industrial competitiveness, and maritime excellence.

Moving from Conversation to Action

As the luncheon concluded, one message resonated throughout the room: the future of Louisiana shipbuilding depends on partnerships built today.

Through meaningful dialogue, shared expertise, and a collective commitment to workforce innovation, the Shipbuilding + Welding Industry Roundtable marked the beginning of new collaborations that will help shape the future of shipbuilding and manufacturing across the Gulf South.

One of the most meaningful moments of the roundtable came in witnessing what can only be described as a true full-circle moment for Delgado Community College and the Delgado School of Construction Arts & Technical Studies. Two distinguished alumni of Delgado’s Computer Aided Design & Drafting (CADD) program returned not as students, but as accomplished industry professionals helping shape the future of the very workforce pipeline that once launched their own careers. Tyler Burke began his academic journey at Delgado before continuing his education in engineering and emerging as a business leader with Infinity Engineering Management Associates, one of the region’s valued industry partners. Likewise, Blake Breaux built his technical foundation through Delgado’s CADD program before advancing his engineering studies and now serving as an engineer with Boeing. Their journeys—continuing their studies at University of New Orleans and Louisiana State University, respectively—stand as powerful examples of the educational pathways and career opportunities made possible through technical education. At Delgado, we proudly embrace and cultivate these full-circle moments, where today’s students become tomorrow’s industry leaders, mentors, and partners, returning to invest in the next generation of talent.

Delgado Community College remains committed to convening industry, listening to workforce needs, and developing the skilled professionals who will build, weld, fabricate, and power Louisiana’s future for generations to come.