San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) was represented at the Anduril 250 NASCAR Cup Series Race at Naval Base Coronado this past weekend, helping showcase skilled trades pathways that support the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet.
NASCAR champion Brad Keselowski drove the No. 6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, which featured SDCCE's logo through a mission-aligned partnership at no cost to the college. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Navy in collaboration with Submarine Industrial Base Program Office, the race car serves as a national platform to promote BuildSubmarines.com, a workforce development initiative aimed at filling more than 100,000 manufacturing, engineering, and skilled trades jobs critical to building and sustaining naval submarines.
Submarine Industrial Base Program Office awarded SDCCE with $1.175 million in 2023 to expand its tuition-free welding program in San Diego. At SDCCE, students earn industry-recognized certificates in Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Gas Metal and Flux Cored Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, and Pipe Welding without the cost of tuition.
From June 19–21, 2026, NASCAR brought together motorsports and military service at Naval Base Coronado, giving attendees a firsthand look at Navy capabilities and careers that support national defense. A featured attraction was Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford Mustang, which highlighted the Sailors, welders, engineers, and skilled trades professionals who help build and sustain the nation’s submarine fleet.
"Standing in the pit area and seeing the SDCCE logo on the hood of the BuildSubmarines.com car was an unforgettable experience, but what made the moment truly meaningful was knowing it represented opportunities for our students. This partnership highlights the power of connecting education with industry,” shared Brad Dorschel, Associate Dean of Career Technical Education at SDCCE. Dorschel was named a BuildSubmarines.com Giant of Skilled Trades, recognizing his leadership in advancing awareness of skilled trades careers.
“As a Navy community, San Diego is uniquely positioned to help meet the growing demand for welders and skilled trades professionals, and SDCCE is proud to provide a direct pathway from the classroom to careers,” said SDCCE President Dr. Tina M. King. “The visibility generated through our partnership with Submarine Industrial Base Program Office and BuildSubmarines.com, amplified by the national stage of NASCAR and Brad Keselowski, highlights the importance of investing in the next generation of workers who will strengthen our regional economy, advance American manufacturing, and support the nation’s submarine industrial base.”
The Submarine Industrial Base Program Office investment is helping accelerate the expansion of SDCCE's skilled trades training programs, including nearly doubling the capacity of the college's welding program. The funding complements a broader $65 million modernization effort underway at the Educational Cultural Complex, supported by $35 million in state funding and Measure HH bond dollars. Together, these investments are expanding workforce training opportunities while supporting major campus improvements, including the modernization of the historic Educational Cultural Complex Theatre and the future development of the Automation, Innovation, and Robotics (A.I.R.) Skills Technical Trades and Workforce Development Center.
