Shipbuilder Austal USA says it needs to add 1,200 employees in the next year and a half, pushing its workforce back to a level near historic highs, and it plans to start hiring at a job fair coming up on Saturday.

The job fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the shipyard just across the river from downtown Mobile.

“For the first time you will be able to meet the leaders, talk to recruiters and tour our facilities and see what it’s like to be a part of the Austal USA family,” Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh said at a Monday press conference promoting the event. “We have immediate openings in engineering, welding, machinists, pipefitters, electricians, trade associates and many other functions right now and over the next 18 months. If you’re looking for competitive pay, benefits, a stable career and opportunities for growth, you need to be here this Saturday.” Murdaugh said many Austal jobs offer the option of a work week with four 10-hour days.

“If you’re a veteran between jobs or simply don’t see a future or [feel] appreciated in your current role, we strongly encourage you to come visit us in our shipyard this Saturday,” Murdaugh said. “Check out our facility, talk to our teams, and consider what your future would be like as a part of the Austal USA family.”

The shipyard’s workforce peaked at about 4,300 at the height of its programs to build Littoral Combat Ships and Expeditionary Fast Transports for the U.S. Navy. But the end is almost in sight for the LCS program, with the last three ships progressing toward delivery to the Navy, and the COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to a gradual decline. Austal USA currently employs about 2,800, Murdaugh said Monday.

However, Austal is on the brink of seeing a major diversification move pay off. Previously an all-aluminum shipyard, it has added the capability to build steel ships and has won several significant contracts including orders for Navy salvage ships and Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutters.

“Austal has moved from one customer to six,” Murdaugh said. “We’ve moved from building two types of ships to 13.”

Murdaugh was joined on Monday by Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson and Mobile Chamber President and CEO Bradley Byrne. Stimpson praised Austal as “a great corporate citizen,” while Hudson called the company “a tremendous community partner” and “one of the top economic development success stories in America today.”

Byrne said the effort represents a workforce development challenge, but one the Mobile area is ready for.

“The people that we’re looking for, for this expansion, don’t grow on trees,” Byrne said. “We’re going to have to go out and get them from a lot of different places. We’re going to have to train a lot of them, AIDT will play a big role in that, the school system will play a big role in that, Bishop State will play a big role in that. … This in not just an Austal effort. This has to be a community effort. This has to be an all-in effort.”

Murdaugh agreed that training will be a big part of the process. Austal is looking to fill a mix of professional and trade jobs, and will work to find the right jobs for the right people.

“We’re just looking for people that really want to work and be part of something big,” he said.

For updates, visit usa.austal.com and www.facebook.com/AustalUSA.