The University of Wisconsin-Marinette entered into a multi-million dollar naval ship design contract Tuesday, making it one of only two universities in the nation to offer design training.

According to UW-Marinette Dean Paula Langteau, the money spent would be used on ShipConstructor software, an invaluable resource for people in the field.

"The $4.42 million is ultimately designed to produce training for people who are in marine design and ship construction software," Langteau said. "It's not about prestige — it's about helping a local industry, and at the same time, helping a larger nationwide industry."

The contract, which the university made with the National Shipbuilding Research Program, will provide $126,000 to UW-Marinette to provide training to students interested in using the ShipConstructor software. The software has become the industry standard for ship design because of its unique integration of design components with the individual systems implemented by ships.

Marinette Marine, a naval construction company based in Marinette, is also included in the contract but could not be reached for comment as of press time Tuesday.

But according to Langteau, the company is already planning to have about five of its employees attend the program for training.

"This came about because this past summer, I visited local engineering companies in the Marinette community," Langteau said. "And when talking to Marinette Marine, they had a need for ShipConstructor software training."

The only ShipConstructor software in North America is located in Canada, and Langteau said it is neither cost-effective nor beneficial for the Wisconsin economy to hire Canadians or to send U.S. employees to Canada for training.

With one of the newly-acquired programs located at Marinette, and the other to be developed at the University of South Alabama, Langteau said she is hopeful for nationwide feedback.

"It's designed to help shipbuilders who have employees who don't know the software," Langteau said. "Shipbuilders across the country will be able to send their employees, and I think this will help the Wisconsin economy."

UW System spokesperson David Giroux said the integration of ShipConstructor helps to prove not only the quality of UW-Marinette but also the quality of the UW System.

"We obviously have a great deal of pride in our UW flagship campuses," Giroux said. "What's less known is that even in places like Marinette, we have faculty experts that are widely respected and ready to look for innovative contracts."

Giroux said these two-year campuses such as UW-Marinette contribute to the UW System and each one boasts extremely well-educated professors.

"Somewhere around 80 to 85 percent of all professors have Ph.D.s in the UW System," Giroux said. "I think it's that depth that's contributing to contracts and innovative grants like this."

Langteau said she was happy about the contract, but added she was just trying to help the university and the community. Giroux agreed the plan benefits both Marinette and the state.

"This should be a point of pride for Marinette," Giroux said. "And it certainly is a point of pride for the UW System."