Organizations in Washington, Connecticut helping create qualified workers for jobs in maritime industry
The maritime industry is booming, but coast-to-coast employers are struggling to find qualified workers. That's why organizations in Connecticut and Washington are training young adults to enter the field.
The maritime industry is booming from coast to coast, but the need for workers remains a battle for most companies as leaders believe there isn't much awareness of the opportunities available within the industry.
SoundWaters, a nonprofit in Connecticut, created a four-month program called Harbor Corps to help alleviate that problem. The program trains 18- to 26-year-olds for entry-level marine trade jobs.
«Employers are clamoring for people and people are looking for work, but those two never meet, so our job is to help them,» said Mike Bagley, Vice President of Programs at SoundWaters.
Through the program, Bagley said students can start in an entry-level position at a marina, for example, and become an assistant manager or service manager making six figures within 15 years without a college degree.
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Harbor Corps students are repairing a damaged boat. (Kailey Schuyler / Fox News)
Tacoma Public Schools does something similar with high school students in Washington, according to the district's Director of Innovative Learning, Adam Kulaas.
«Over the course of the last few years, we've really been able to get student perspective and reflection on what it looks like,» Kulaas said. «It was exciting to hear some of those student-articulated captures of like, I had no idea that you could do this profession within the port.»
Students earn certifications and get professional development advice from staff, so companies are more
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