Tue,
02/28/2023 – 16:14pm | By: Anita Arguelles
The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) USM’s Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean
Enterprise is offering four workforce training workshops made available through a
$980,398 grant from AccelerateMS. For a limited time, qualified individuals who register
can participate at no cost through this workforce development initiative.
The workforce training allows active-duty, guard, reserve and transitioning military
members of the traditional blue economy workforce, and community college and underserved
students opportunities for cross-training and re-training to help advance their careers
in the blue technology economy and provide critical training disrupted by COVID-19.
“HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries) is pleased to see USM offering this workforce training
expansion program. We have witnessed the same COVID-related shortages of experienced
individuals with capabilities in autonomous and unscrewed underwater and surface ship
systems,” stated Brian McKeon, Senior Director, Hill Mission Technologies. “As the
designer and manufacturer of the globally recognized commercial and military versions
of REMUS Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) family of systems and providing autonomous
systems for both UUVs and USVs this training will be invaluable.”
Added McKeon: “The proposed continuous hands-on training with actual autonomous vessels
will provide critical knowledge to provide HII and other industry, government, and
academic institutions with competent individuals.”
Four bi-monthly training programs are planned at the Marine Research Center located
in Gulfport, Miss. Training began on Feb. 27 and includes:
- Maritime Autonomy
- Maritime Data Analytics
- Maritime Uncrewed Systems
- Maritime Cyber
The hybrid course consists of 4-8 hours of flexible online coursework and one in-person
day. After completing the online section, participants can schedule the in-person
Day 2 held at USM’s Marine Research Center at the Port of Gulfport in Gulfport, Miss.
Participants can spend the day with an expert training team, utilizing state-of-the-art
uncrewed platforms, obstacle avoidance simulators, and other water and classroom-based
activities.
These four workshop training programs build on the tradition of success for Ocean
Enterprise’s five Federal Operational Seminars offered through The Center for Higher
Learning at Stennis Space Center.
To register for the workshops, visit: https://www.usm.edu/ocean-enterprise/maritime-training-programs-seminars.php
About the Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise
The Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise is a global hub for advancing Uncrewed
Maritime Systems (UMS), ocean data science, maritime cyber research, and blue tech
workforce training. The Center consists of multiple facilities bringing together federal,
industry, and academic partners, creating a collaborative environment to accelerate
the development and launch of new technology in the fast-growing ocean economy. Entrepreneurs
and startups developing solutions to global challenges come here to capitalize on
world-class ocean research capabilities and connect to university research scientists.
Located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast between New Orleans and Mobile, the 18,000-square-foot
Marine Research Center (MRC) and the 62,500-square-foot Roger F. Wicker Center for
Ocean Enterprise (OE) facility (opening 2023) offer access to premier blue technology-appointed
workspaces, a specialized fabrication shop, marine test sites, and vessels. Our shoreside
location supports year-round access to deep and shallow water for large oceanographic
research vessels, UMS, and optionally crewed vessels. To learn more, visit: https://www.usm.edu/ocean-enterprise/index.php
