Calvert Remarks at Field Hearing on Industrial Base and Workforce Development for Skilled Trades
Today, the Subcommittee will conduct a field hearing on the Defense Industrial Base and workforce development for skilled trades. I want to thank my colleagues, Congressman Case and Congressman Valadao, for making the trip to Santa Clarita, California. I also want to thank Dr Ruys and the College of the Canyons for hosting this field hearing on topics that are central to your vision and mission, and critical to the Defense Industrial Base.
Today we will exchange ideas with the three witnesses representing government, industry, and academia over two panels. The witnesses for the first panel are:
- Mr. Eric Chewning, Executive Vice President, Maritime Systems & Corporate Strategy, Huntington Ingalls Industries; and
- Dr. Michael Reed, President of the Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Thank you for supporting the Defense Industrial Base and workforce development of skilled trades. As you are keenly aware, the foundational aspects of our industrial base are often taken for granted. We assume that critical manufacturing inputs such as minerals, sub-tier suppliers, and skilled labor will always be available. This assumption is false. We must deeply understand what investments are needed to protect and strengthen the industrial base and this requires input from a cross-section of stakeholders, which is why we are here today.
Over the last several years, Appropriations bills have supported significant investments for workforce development for skilled trades, largely for shipbuilding. According to analyses conducted by McKinsey published in January 2026, between 200,000 – 250,000 maritime workers specializing in welding, assembly, fabrication, and front-line management are needed in the next decade. It is worth noting, shipbuilding is one of many industries with a significant demand signal for welding and fabrication. According to the American Welding Society, approximately 20 percent of the welding force are approaching retirement and in 2025 they estimated the need for 320,000 new welders by 2029. These estimates are prior to the data center boom, which relies heavily on welders and fabrication.
Workforce development of skilled trades is no small matter. Proficiency in skilled trades requires hands-on laboratory work with industrial machinery. These machines cost millions of dollars, and their industrial power draw requires significant energy load capacity.
Additionally, mastery talent is required to teach the next generation and retrain professionals into these skilled trades. Recruiting mastery talent requires resourcing. The all-in cost to develop a skilled trades workforce is significant and this assumes academic institutions have access to power infrastructure, not to mention an ability to expand to meet current demand.
Even when resourcing is provided and infrastructure exists, are skilled trades viewed as a valuable career? As conveyed in the same 2026 McKinsey report, a multi-generational stigma on skilled trades remains pervasive, which in my view undoubtedly decreases the number of people considering a career in skilled trades. We must work together to eliminate stigma on skilled trades. Decades of innovation have resulted in manufacturing technology and industrial careers that are not nearly as difficult, dangerous, and dirty as in years past. I commend the Department of War for partnering with The Mike Rowe WORKS Foundation and the National Labor Exchange to launch the Build Freedom campaign. The mission statement is to build the workforce that builds and defends America, and I look forward to learning how Congress can support this effort.
In 2024, the Subcommittee held a field proceeding on innovation. Today the Subcommittee is holding a field hearing on industrial base and workforce development for skilled trades. Field proceedings and hearings are reserved for only the highest priorities. As Chairman, supporting and promoting innovation and the foundation of the industrial base are my top priorities.
