EDC’s free marine trades training update

May 1, 2017 4:28 pm
Contributed photo/EDC Students participate in a marine electrical systems theory class.
Contributed photo/EDC Students participate in a marine electrical systems theory class.

Submitted by the San Juan County Economic Development Council

The San Juan County Economic Development Council Marine Trades Training program was initiated in 2016 to address the gap between trained tradespeople and a desperate need for skilled workers in the maritime industry in the San Juan Islands. This gap has caused a loss of market share to Canadian shipyards and marinas.

With the financial commitment of local government agencies (San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor and the Port of Friday Harbor), the San Juan County EDC began to work in 2016 on creating a trades program to address the gap, and secured funding from the Washington State Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund, facilitated by the Washington State Department of Commerce.

Other in-kind partners have offered their support as well: Islanders Bank, Heritage Bank and committee members.

Program Update

In the first quarter of 2017, the EDC collaborated with Skagit Valley College, our local community college, to build a marine training program that would most benefit local maritime businesses, and “upskill” under-trained workers here, for up to 20 participants. The program would be offered to local workers free of charge. After successful participation in the program, participants would be assisted in finding available jobs.

The training program devised includes the following, including textbooks and certifications:

  • Three credit MT230 Marine Electronic, including the Basic Marine Electronics Installer Certification/standards
  • Four credit MT142 Marine Gasoline Engines, including ABYC standards and Gas engine exam
  • Four credit MT132 Marine Electrical I
  • Three credit Outboard Motors

Also included in the Skagit Valley College training program are student transportation costs, tutors and GED support.

The EDC created an application and marketed heavily throughout the San Juan Islands, through flyers, Facebook ads, press releases, and direct discussion with marinas, family resource centers, development offices, and high schools. We received 21 applications and accepted all applicants.

Out of 21 students, five students are women (23.8 percent); most students are younger but a few are participating in their 40s as they seek to change their lives. Some applicants were coming from unemployment and recovery programs, one student had no GED and Skagit Valley College is helping him to receive one as he works through the marine program.

Classes started on April 4 and run through June 16, at a tuition cost of around $2,000 per student, including all training, textbooks and certifications, plus job placement services for qualified applicants.

Milestones

Students will complete training on June 16 and will be assisted by the EDC in their job searches. County marinas and shipyards are looking forward to welcoming qualified applicants into the workforce in June.