WARWICK, R.I. — General Dynamics Electric Boat (Electric Boat), New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) and the U.S. Navy Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) joined federal and state leaders today to announce a major expansion of their training partnership for the submarine workforce. To meet Electric Boat’s need for 8,000 new employees, NEIT is retrofitting its Warwick campus (Post Road), tripling the training space from 30,000 sq. ft. to 100,000 sq. ft. to serve as the company’s primary workforce training center in Rhode Island.

 “As submarine production accelerates, workforce development has emerged as one of the greatest challenges,” said Richard Gouse, President of New England Institute of Technology. “Our strong relationship with Electric Boat creates a direct pathway into skilled, good-paying manufacturing careers and is yet another example of how New England Tech prepares its graduates for careers the marketplace demands.”

“With the expansion of our training facility, we are positioned to significantly grow our training footprint, enabling us to recruit additional talent and deepen our commitment to continuous skill development,” said Courtney Murphy, Director of Talent Acquisition & Workforce Development at General Dynamics Electric Boat. “This investment strengthens EB and RI’s submarine industrial base, ensuring we deliver submarines at the pace required by the U.S. Navy. Our partnerships with organizations like NEIT are vital in helping us achieve this goal.”

Approximately 3,000 new hires per year are expected to go through the Shipbuilding Advanced Institute for Learning (SAIL) for at least the next three years before transitioning to Electric Boat’s Quonset Point shipyard. In addition to new hire training, the space will accommodate recurring training, recertification and upskilling for career employees.

The SAIL will be home to more than 20 state-of-the-art classrooms designed for a blended learning environment, integrating hands-on skills development with high-quality classroom instruction in the areas of welding, shipfitting, pipefitting, machining, sheet metal, paint, electrical, as well as EB’s future hiring center.

For more than ten years, NEIT, through its Shipbuilding and Manufacturing Institute (SAMI), has trained new Electric Boat employees in welding, shipfitting and machining. To date, more than 4,500 new employees have been trained, and thousands of career employees have experienced on-going continuing education.

NEIT’s shipbuilding training expansion is supported by $20 million from the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base and $25 million from General Dynamics Electric Boat. The US Navy Submarine Industrial Base strengthens America’s undersea advantage by investing in the supply chain, workforce, and manufacturing technologies that submarine production and sustainment demand.

Last month, the Department of War awarded Electric Boat construction contracts for 14 submarines totaling $76.6 billion. To explore Electric Boat jobs, visit: ebcareers.com.

Support for the Workforce Training Expansion

“EB is in the midst of a hiring boom and the SAIL program has demonstrated success helping students get the hands-on training they need to launch successful trade careers and land good-paying jobs building high-tech submarines. This partnership and NEIT’s new expanded campus here in Warwick will strengthen, accelerate, and increase the capacity of the local defense manufacturing pipeline, connecting people to career pathways and a variety of job opportunities,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee who helped make federal funds available to the Navy for this type of workforce training expansion program.

“Rhode Island’s world-class shipbuilding industry is an engine of the Ocean State’s economy,” said U.S. Senator Whitehouse. “In partnership with Electric Boat, NEIT’s new SAIL facility will provide Rhode Islanders with more well-paying career opportunities working to equip our Navy with state-of-the-art submarines in the years ahead.”

“Rhode Island’s shipbuilding workforce is critical for our nation’s defense,” said Congressman Seth Magaziner. “The Shipbuilding Advanced Institute for Learning will help train the welders, machinists, and ship fitters who make it all possible for local jobs. I am excited to work with New England Institute of Technology and General Dynamics Electric Boat to provide SAIL with the resources it needs to train Rhode Island’s next generation of shipbuilders.”

“This latest investment in Rhode Island’s workforce will ensure that our state remains at the cutting edge of naval production and innovation while preparing thousands of Rhode Islanders for good-paying jobs in the shipbuilding industry,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “Thank you to the New England Institute of Technology and Electric Boat for your continued work to strengthen Rhode Island’s Blue Economy, and congratulations on this new expansion.”

“Warwick is proud to play a central role in this important investment in Rhode Island’s future. Expanding New England Tech’s training facility will help prepare thousands of skilled workers for good-paying careers while strengthening our state’s submarine industry and manufacturing workforce,” said Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi. “This partnership between Electric Boat, New England Tech, the U.S. Navy and our state and federal partners is a tremendous investment in both our local economy and our national security.”

From New England Institute of Technology, Aug. 24, 2026