NFFS Talent Pipeline Program
Building a skilled workforce for Maritime and Defense industries through recruitment, training, and retention
As the Navy embarks on a 30-year mission to grow and modernize its fleet, the power of American manufacturing is again called upon to answer the nation's call to arms. This monumental task will challenge American industry in ways unseen since World War II, when the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) rallied to secure freedom. Today’s security challenges, while different, are no less daunting, and the DIB faces unprecedented demands as the Navy’s workforce requirements soar.
Whitney Jones, Director of the Submarine Industrial Base (SIB), has emphasized the magnitude of these challenges:
"The SIB is orienting towards a 5x increase in new construction submarine capacity, resulting in a trade skill hiring demand of more than 100,000 workers over the next decade."
THE TALENT PIPELINE PROGRAM (TPP) OVERVIEW
To confront these challenges head-on, the Navy launched the Talent Pipeline Program (TPP) in March 2021. This nationwide initiative is designed to help small and medium-sized employers enhance their talent acquisition and retention systems. Through public-private partnerships, TPP empowers employers to bolster their manufacturing and sustainment capacity, crucial to meeting the Navy's submarine and defense production needs over the next 30 years.
Mission of the Talent Pipeline Program
The core mission of TPP is simple but critical: to equip employers with the tools to recruit, hire, and retain skilled employees more effectively, ensuring the Navy has the workforce it needs to meet its long-term demands.
- Train and Coach Employers to overhaul their talent systems.
- Encourage and Reward employers who improve their talent acquisition and retention (TA&R) systems.
- Build and Sustain Talent Pipelines that provide steady recruitment and retention of skilled workers.
The Talent Pipeline Model: Moving Beyond “Post and Hope”
Traditionally, many employers rely on a “post and hope” method—posting job openings and hoping qualified candidates apply. TPP offers a new approach by encouraging employers to actively create and manage their own talent pipelines, aligning workforce development efforts with their specific needs.
Key Components:
- Employer-Focused Development: Employers are coached to improve their TA&R systems.
- Continuous Improvement: A focus on data-driven results helps businesses measure and improve retention.
- Collaboration with Training Providers: Partners like training institutions provide skilled graduates to meet employer demands.
The Employer Experience
TPP provides employers with:
- Training and Coaching to improve their TA&R systems.
- Sharing of Best Practices through cohort engagement.
- Access to Resources that help streamline recruitment and retention.
- Encouragement and Recognition for system improvements that yield results.
By focusing on employers who "own" the talent acquisition challenge, TPP fosters leadership that drives positive change and enables businesses to thrive in a competitive labor market.
Join the Movement
The TPP is more than just a workforce program—it’s a movement to sustain and grow the American industrial base, ensuring the Navy and the nation remain secure for decades to come. Employers, training providers, and facilitators are invited to join forces, improve their business performance, and contribute to the defense of our nation. Together, we can answer the call and build a strong workforce for the future.
By participating in the TPP, NFFS members can leverage the program’s resources to strengthen their talent pipelines, reduce turnover, and improve overall workforce stability. The program offers training tailored to the needs of the Navy and related industries, ensuring that employees are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in their roles. Additionally, the TPP provides funding and support to help employers implement these training and retention strategies effectively. This includes NFFS staff, serving as network coaches, that will work with your management team in your foundry to develop and implement the TPP strategy into your own operations.
Contact Us:
For more information on how your company can join the NFFS Talent Pipeline Program cohort, reach out to Bill Padnos, NFFS Director of Workforce Development at bill@nffs.org.