A new era in workforce development began at Honolulu Community College on August 6, with the grand opening and blessing of the Advanced Manufacturing Program Facility—a state-of-the-art training hub for Hawaiʻi’s next generation of skilled trades professionals.
“This facility represents a new chapter for Honolulu Community College while preparing our students to be a part of Hawaiʻi’s future economy,” said Chancellor Karen C. Lee. “It’s an opportunity to connect education directly to high-paying, meaningful careers while supporting the needs of our community.”
The first cohort of eight trainees includes active-duty military, shipyard workers and local students. Over 15 weeks, they will receive hands-on instruction in inside-outside machining from training partner BG Workforce. Future courses will include welding and other advanced manufacturing skills.
The Advanced Manufacturing Program is a collaboration between Honolulu CC, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program, and Kuʻi Hao, a strategic workforce initiative building Hawaiʻi’s skilled trades pipeline to support advanced manufacturing and national defense readiness.
Critical hub
Hawaiʻi is a critical hub for U.S. Department of Defense operations in the Indo-Pacific region. IBAS invested more than $7 million in heavy equipment and tools.
“Strengthening the U.S. industrial base in the Indo-Pacific begins with a skilled, local workforce,” said Matthew Draper, IBAS technical director. “This facility gives Hawaiʻi the advanced manufacturing capabilities needed to support mission readiness, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, and meet the demands of national security.”
High-demand careers
The opening event also drew more than 125 guests, including Gov. Josh Green, U.S. Sens Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono, and Maj. Gen. Jeffrey VanAntwerp of U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific.
“Our mission at Kuʻi Hao connects defense, education and industry partners to create a training hub that will equip students, incumbent workers, active-duty military and veterans with the skills needed to excel in high-demand careers,” said Jennifer Sabas, co-executive director of Kuʻi Hao.
Applications for the next training cohort will open later this year.
