BATH, Maine – General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and the University of Maine System (UMS) announced a new program today to offer tuition discounts to shipbuilders pursuing postsecondary education and training through Maine’s public universities.
The new Deckplates to Degrees partnership provides eligible BIW employees a 10% discount on all undergraduate and graduate courses offered by Maine’s public universities, including those online.
The discount works in conjunction with the existing BIW tuition reimbursement program, which provides full reimbursement to employees for eligible coursework related to their job. The discount would reduce employees’ out-of-pocket costs prior to reimbursement at the successful completion of the course.
“BIW is committed to its employees and supports their ongoing career success and personal development,” said Ray Steen, Vice President, Human Resources. “This tuition discount program will make it more affordable for our employees to pursue their educational goals.”
Deckplates to Degrees is the latest evolution in a long partnership between Maine’s largest educational enterprise and the nation’s leading shipbuilder. For example, the System’s flagship, the University of Maine, is currently offering a course in its business school (External Site) where students are undertaking research learning to develop real-world solutions to challenges facing the company.
“Bath built is best built, and now BIW employees can be best educated through the University of Maine System,” said Chancellor Dannel Malloy. “Maine’s public universities look forward to supporting the professional development and economic mobility of more BIW workers while enabling this essential Maine employer to recruit and retain the skilled workforce necessary to their company’s success and our nation’s security.”
Maine’s public universities are the most affordable in New England, enabling the BIW tuition benefit and discount to go even further toward employees’ door-opening degree and certificate programs.
More information about General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), can be found at www.gdbiw.com (External Site). More information about the University of Maine System can be found at www.maine.edu.
About the University of Maine System
The University of Maine System (UMS) is the state’s largest driver of educational attainment and economic development and its seven public universities and law school are the most affordable in New England. Over the past two decades, UMS has awarded 106,362 degrees and spurred and strengthened thousands of small Maine businesses through its world-class research and development activities. For more information, visit www.maine.edu.
Media Contact:
Samantha Warren
Director of External Affairs, University of Maine System
207-632-0389 / samantha.warren@maine.edu