The Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship earned approval to move forward to “Permanent Status” at the January 2024 quarterly meeting of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, a division of Washington State Labor and Industries. Moving from provisional to Permanent Status provides official long-term certification and recognition for the new registered apprenticeship - Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship.
Ensuring that our boats float safely, efficiently, and adhere to all environmental regulations, requires a trained workforce with the needed technical and mechanical expertise. To meet this need, the Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship launched an official Registered Apprenticeship in October 2022 training Marine Service Technicians. Marine Service Technicians, as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor, are those who build, fit, repair, maintain, and service commercial and recreational vessels up to 150’. They work in marinas, boatyards, service and repair shops. This apprenticeship, a four-year rigorous, non-union, training program, provides comprehensive vessel instruction. Once completed, graduates earn a nationally recognized Journey-level certification.
The Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship is adopting the Quadrant Marine Institute training program from British Columbia, Canada. This successful program serving three sites in Canada has professionalized the Marine Service Technician career. As the first entity to implement this curriculum in the United States, we look forward to similar success for our marine industries in Washington.
This “Earn while you Learn” educational program allows technicians to work at their day jobs at local marine service companies and participate in the accompanying “Related Supplemental instruction” (RSI), weekly evening classes and once/month Saturday workshops. The RSI portion covers twelve subject areas including general marine technology and safety; gasoline and diesel engines; repair of wooden/fiberglass composite hulls; electrical systems; paint and finish applications; and more. Local Subject Matter Experts, professionals with years of experience, teach the various subjects and share their expertise with the apprentices. These Instructors also participate in “Train-the-Trainer” professional development providing them with specific strategies to teach adult learners.
With nine apprentices and seven sponsoring companies in Whatcom and Skagit Counties, Northwest Diesel Power, NW Explorations, Community Boating Center, LaConner Maritime Services, Seaview North Boatyard, and Lummi Nation Workforce Training Center. Permanent Status provides the necessary credentials to expand the program to serve more companies and more counties throughout the Northwest.
The Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship, operating as a program of the Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation, also moved into a new training facility at 708 Coho Way in Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham. Sharing with Washington Sea Grant and the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County, 708 Coho Way offers a large classroom and workshop space for the monthly hands-on workshops. This facility, branded as the Working Waterfront offices, is open for the pubic to visit, rent, and enjoy.
In anticipation for the upcoming spring months where our waterfronts teem with preparations for commercial and recreational fishing/boating seasons, the Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship looks forward to building upon the Permanent Status, expanding the program to include more apprentices, companies, and into neighboring counties.
With a thriving maritime sector in Whatcom County (over 6,000 jobs representing 7% of our region’s workforce), marine trades businesses are in desperate need of trained workers. From diesel engine repair to boat building/repair to fitting and rigging, this comprehensive, competency-based training program will provide our region with the trained workers needed to maintain and grow this booming sector.
“This Marine Service Technician Apprenticeship offers waterfront businesses the clear opportunity to hire and train workers in a competency-based progression. With this program, new hires are able to contribute fully to a company’s bottom line much sooner”, says Ross Tennant, CEO/Owner of NW Explorations, Inc.
Financial support includes contributions from Washington Sea Grant , U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Building America, Career Connect Washington, Port of Bellingham, Washington State Department of Labor, the Washington Legislature, private donations, and tuition for each apprentice.
For more information about the Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship Program, contact Program Director Sierra Oliver by phone at 360.255.0477 or by email at soliver@waterfrontfoundation.org