New program will provide Gulfport High School students hands-on training, mentorship and a direct pathway into high-demand shipbuilding careers
GULFPORT, Mississippi – (August 17, 2026) — Bollinger Shipyards (“Bollinger”), a leading designer and builder of high-performance military and commercial vessels, today announced a new partnership with the Gulfport School District to launch ‘Bollinger NextGen Shipbuilders’, a work-based learning program designed to introduce high school students to the skills, trades and career pathways that support the Gulf Coast’s shipbuilding industry.
“Bollinger is proud to partner with Gulfport School District to create a direct, hands-on pathway for students interested in shipbuilding careers,” said Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “Our industry depends on highly skilled tradespeople, and this program gives students early exposure to the tools, training and mentorship they need to succeed while strengthening the Gulf Coast workforce for years to come.”
Through the initiative, Gulfport High School students will gain hands-on exposure to five core maritime manufacturing disciplines: welding, pipefitting, marine electrical, maritime carpentry, and rigging and fitting. Students will train at Bollinger’s new state-of-the-art training facility, where they will receive instruction and mentorship from experienced shipbuilders and skilled trades professionals while applying classroom lessons in a real-world industrial setting.
“We are incredibly excited about this new adventure and the doors it opens for our students,” said Jennifer Hornback, CTE Director. “This partnership provides our youth with invaluable hands-on industry experience, financial independence potential, and a direct pipeline into the Bollinger family upon graduation.”
The program reflects Bollinger’s continued commitment to building the next generation of skilled shipbuilders who will support America’s maritime industrial base. By connecting students directly with industry professionals, Bollinger NextGen Shipbuilders will help participants build market-ready skills before graduation while introducing them to meaningful, family-supporting careers close to home.
ABOUT BOLLINGER SHIPYARDS
Bollinger Shipyards (www.bollingershipyards.com) has an 80-year legacy as a leading designer and builder of high-performance military patrol boats and salvage vessels, research vessels, ocean-going double hull barges, offshore oil field support vessels, tugboats, rigs, lift boats, inland waterways push boats, barges, and other steel and aluminum products as part of the U.S. industrial base. Bollinger is the largest vessel repair company in the Gulf of America region.