March 12, 2026
Philadelphia residents looking to further careers in the skilled trades now have a new pathway to high-wage, full‑time opportunities through the latest Welder B training program in partnership with Hanwha Philly Shipyard. The cohort‑based program, launched by PIDC and University City District’s collaborative program the Skills Initiative at the Navy Yard, is designed to prepare local job seekers with verifiable welding experience for employment in shipbuilding and related fields without requiring an apprenticeship—offering structured training, hands‑on experience, and a clear route to earning competitive wages and benefits with one of the Navy Yard’s leading employers.
Since 2020, The Skills Initiative at the Navy Yard has run 17 cohorts and helped 252 Philadelphians launch new careers. This new partnership with Hanwha Philly Shipyard is an evolution of previous collaborations that connected applicants to shipbuilding training through an apprenticeship model. With this new program, applicants who have already obtained welding certification or experience can be connected directly into training to become full-performance welders.
Applications for the program are open through Friday, March 20 at 5:00 p.m. Information regarding eligibility and how to apply is available online at NavyYard.org/Skills.
"This new partnership with Hanwha Philly Shipyard offers real pathways to economic mobility for Philadelphians," said Cait Garozzo, Executive Director of The Skills Initiative. "Hanwha is committed to hiring from the community, and this program will help talented Philadelphians connect to stable, high-quality jobs in an industry that has the potential to define our region for decades."
This comprehensive program is specifically designed to prepare job seekers for long-term success. The program is for individuals who are dependable, collaborative, and detail-oriented, with a verifiable welding program certification or at least three years of welding experience, ready to grow their careers.
Participants of the program will engage in a structured 14-week training experience that blends professional growth with hands-on welding training and includes:
• Two weeks of professional development
• Four weeks of classroom instruction on ship orientation and shop math
• Eight weeks of hands-on welding training
Participants receive a $150 weekly stipend during professional development and shipbuilding coursework, a $300 weekly stipend during welding training, and the opportunity to interview for positions with benefits as a Welder B at Hanwha Philly Shipyard.
“This welder cohort represents an exciting next step for The Skills Initiative at the Navy Yard and our broader workforce development efforts,” said Kate McNamara, Executive Vice President of PIDC at the Navy Yard. “As Hanwha Philly Shipyard continues to grow its operations at the Shipyard, we’re grateful for their investment in building a pipeline of skilled talent and creating new opportunities for Philadelphians. Programs like this not only strengthen our campus partnerships but also create clear pathways to quality jobs, where graduates can apply their new skills and earn competitive wages and benefits—a testament to the intentional, employer-driven work of the Skills Initiative team.”
For more information and to apply, visit The Navy Yard website.
