SME Joins U.S. Navy Talent Pipeline Program as National Facilitator
June 04, 2025 by SME Communications
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., [June 4, 2025] – SME, the nonprofit committed to building and expanding North America's talent and capabilities and accelerating advanced manufacturing technologies, has been named a National Facilitator for the U.S. Navy’s Talent Pipeline Program (TPP)—an initiative to train, coach, encourage, and recognize Small/Medium sized Employers to improve the performance of talent acquisition, training, and retention across the U.S. Navy defense industrial base (DIB).
As a national facilitator, SME will leverage its extensive network of defense suppliers, manufacturing employers, and regional partners to scale and strengthen their talent pipelines, run a better business, and provide more capacity to meet the DIB demand across America. TPP began in Philadelphia in 2021 with expansions to Pittsburgh, Hampton Roads, New England, Long Island, Southern California and now in a National Roll Out.
The partnership builds on SME’s long-standing role as a national leader in workforce development and its deep experience in delivering industry-aligned training programs, implementing youth engagement strategies, and fostering public-private partnerships designed to meet the evolving needs of advanced manufacturing.
“America’s industrial strength is rooted in a capable, future-ready manufacturing workforce,” said Jeannine Kunz, executive director and CEO of SME. “We are proud to be a trusted partner of the U.S. Navy’s Talent Pipeline Program and bring to the forefront our expertise in helping scale these targeted and tailored solutions to support the defense manufacturers. By aligning talent with Employer’s opportunity, we’re collectively helping secure the future of both our workforce, American employers and national defense.”
The Talent Pipeline Program directly addresses the U.S. Navy’s growing manufacturing production requirements by ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled talent to deliver and sustain Columbia and Virginia-class submarines, aircraft carriers, surface combatants, and vessels currently in service. This expanded initiative will reinforce U.S. naval capabilities and fortify national security in an increasingly complex global environment.
Inspired by the shared mission, Joe Barto, program leader of the U.S. Navy Talent Pipeline Program, said: “The U.S. Navy’s Talent Pipeline Program is built on collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to national security. SME’s role as a National Facilitator brings critical workforce expertise and national reach to this mission. Their deep industry connections and proven training strategies will help elevate the program, delivering measurable impact not only for the maritime sector, but for the broader U.S. manufacturing economy. SME’s endorsement will bring access to the Navy provided TPP services at no cost to the employers across their sphere of influence for the “heartbeat ”of American Manufacturing which are small and medium sized employers.”
With proven success in regions like Pennsylvania and New England, the Talent Pipeline Program is well-positioned for national expansion. Together, TPP and SME can accelerate progress and amplify impact.
Learn more about the Talent Pipeline Program at https://youtu.be/qH6Cuffyo2o.
About SME
Established in 1932 as a nonprofit organization, SME represents the entire North American manufacturing industry, including manufacturers, academia, professionals, students, and the communities in which they operate. We believe manufacturing holds the key to economic growth and prosperity, and champion the industry's potential as a diverse, thriving, and valued ecosystem. SME accelerates new technology adoption and builds North America’s talent and capabilities to advance manufacturing and drive competitiveness, resiliency, and national security. SME designs new ways to understand and solve problems, and our solutions advance the next wave of growth in manufacturing. Learn more at SME.org.