This browser does not support the Video element.
New Tacoma maritime high school program opens
South Sound high school students on Tuesday marked the official opening of Maritime 253, a tuition-free facility designed to combat a national shortage of maritime professionals.
TACOMA, Wash. - High school students in the South Sound walked through the doors of a first-of-its-kind facility on Tuesday, marking the official opening of "Maritime 253."
What we know:
Designed to combat a looming national shortage of maritime professionals – industry reports project a need for upwards of 200,000 workers in the next decade – the tuition-free program offers juniors and seniors hands-on experience in manufacturing, logistics and marine technology. The inaugural class of students was greeted by a welcome committee of local builders, Port of Tacoma representatives, tribal members, and educators.
A first-of-its-kind curriculum
What they're saying:
Developed in partnership with the Port of Tacoma, Maritime 253 is the first program of its exact kind in the nation.
"Everything we have here is industry grade, so students are getting that applicable experience right away that they can bring back to their future employers," said Program Director Kristie Wolford.
Students split their schedules, spending half the day completing standard high school coursework and the other half bused directly to the port facility. By June, participants will graduate with more than 1,000 hours of training, industry-recognized credentials, and college dual-credits.
Real-world advantage for students
Local perspective:
The program is open primarily to Tacoma-area and south-end high school juniors and seniors, with space available for other participating area districts.
For students like Jeremiah Commodore, who is eyeing a future in industrial design and architecture, the location offers an immediate networking advantage.
"The port is over there so you can talk to people from big time places and get a better idea of what you're going into for college, whether it's science, math, architecture for me, or industrial design," Jeremiah said.
His mother, Melissa Commodore, noted the confidence-building aspect of the hands-on environment.
"I hope that he has more confidence in his ability to be able to go into architecture," Melissa said. "I hope that he has a little bit of perspective and vision of what it's going to be like taking those classes in college."
Enrollment details
What you can do:
The program is free to attend, and enrollment remains open.
The Source: Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Demolition underway at abandoned Boeing office complex in Renton
Single-engine plane crashes in Lake Stevens, injures 1
Labor Day gas prices hit record high as diesel surging costs hit drivers
'Pretty crazy': Neighbors react after 101 cats taken from Tacoma home
Wild Waves Water Park permanently closing after 50 seasons
Amazon cargo jet crash: Voice, flight recorders recovered as investigation continues
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.