Port Of Everett News Article Link
EVERETT, WASH. – In September, through a strategic partnership between the Port of Everett, Maritime Institute, and Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center, the first-ever maritime program for high school students in Snohomish and Island counties launched in the North Puget Sound Region.
The inaugural 2025-2026 Maritime Vessel Operations program kicked off on Sept. 8, 2025, welcoming a cohort of 10 students for the pilot year of course work and on-the-waterfront training, marking a milestone moment for local workforce development.
Now, high school seniors throughout Snohomish and Island counties enrolled at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center have an opportunity to become fully credentialed and professionally trained mariners by the time they graduate – forging new career pathways for a strong and resilient regional maritime workforce now and into the future.
“The Port of Everett is proud of this creative partnership that brings the skillsets and resources of our three organizations together to make this pivotal program a reality,” said Port of Everett Executive Director/CEO Lisa Lefeber. “This is the kind of opportunity that can set students up for success and influence the trajectory of their future careers. With more than 60% of jobs in Snohomish County tied to trade – and with Washington state being the most trade-dependent state in the nation – it’s crucial we prioritize the focus on maritime jobs awareness and see to it that there are direct pipelines in place that feed into the industry.”
For Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center – a cooperative effort of 15 local school districts throughout the County offering students preparatory training, certification, and post-high school credit – this partnership represents its first-ever maritime-focused career pathway.
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The curriculum adapts Maritime Institute’s U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved “Mariner Bootcamp” program – historically only offered to adults as an 8-week intensive course – into a year-long program tailored to fit the schedule of the high school skill center programming and aligned with core competencies required for graduation.
The curriculum is being taught at the Port of Everett by a Sno-Isle TECH instructor following Maritime Institute’s USCG approved guidelines, blending classroom, hands-on and field instruction to prepare students for real-world maritime careers.
The year-long course and subsequent pairing of on-the-job “internship” experience with local maritime companies offers students a blend of instruction in traditional and modern seamanship, deckhand skills and knowledge, as well as modern maritime engine maintenance and tool skills. While starting with a pilot class of 10 students, the program is expected to grow year after year.
Students in Snohomish County’s first-ever high school-level mariner training course practice knot-tying at the beginning of class. The cohort is part of the pilot program between Port of Everett, Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center, and Maritime Institute to give students more educational opportunities and support local workforce development.
“When the prospect presented itself to partner with two outstanding organizations, Maritime Institute and Port of Everett, it would be silly of us not to take this opportunity” Wes Allen, Director of Sno-Isle TECH noted. “There is a need to train young adults to fill this growing gap in industry. The first U.S. Coast Guard approved class at the high school level, Maritime Vessel Operations, is meeting the directive of our state to train students for the high-need and high-wage careers of the future. We look forward to growing the Maritime program and strengthening our partnerships well into the future”.
Program focus areas include engine room familiarization, personal survival techniques, watchkeeper/navigation introduction, vessel security, crowd management, maritime electrical systems, outboard engine maintenance, diesel/gas and electrical engine maintenance, as well as maritime plumbing.
Students learn to work collaboratively and gain understanding of what it takes to be aboard a vessel for prolonged periods of time. They will also cover basic firefighting skills as well to ensure they are well equipped for fires that can occur aboard a vessel.
Students who successfully complete the program will be qualified to join any U.S. Merchant Vessel at the entry level, will be internationally certified, and will receive necessary credentials, including a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) and Certification of Watchkeepers (STCW-95).
An industry leader in maritime education, Maritime Institute Everett is providing the curriculum guidance and equipment, and in partnership with the Port, its facilities and maritime employment experiences for the course. Maritime Institute’s Port of Everett location, housed in the Port’s Maritime, Exploration and Innovation Complex at Waterfront Place, is the company’s fifth U.S. campus and the first Maritime Institute location to welcome high school students into the fold.
Instructor Brian Hennessy shows two students in the first-ever cohort of the Port of Everett’s, Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center, and Maritime Institute’s new pilot program to train high school students to become professional mariners.
“We’re proud to support the launch of the new Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center program focused on vessel operations and shipyard skills,” Sarah Scherer, General Manager, PNW, of Maritime Institute, said. “This initiative is more than just education – it’s an investment in the future of our maritime workforce. By equipping students with hands-on experience and industry-relevant training, we’re building a strong pipeline of skilled professionals ready to support and grow the maritime sector for years to come.”
This partnership comes at a pivotal moment in the industry. The need to create direct pipelines into maritime careers and training programs is at an all-time high with a growing skills gap due to a waterfall of retirements now and on the horizon in maritime, combined with a long-time push for traditional college pathways over trade schools. Federal investment in maritime infrastructure also remains a critical component for supporting this key industry to the U.S. and local economy.
Washington’s maritime industry employs over 62,000 workers and provide for a good family-wage, earning an average salary of $112,000, according to a 2022 study prepared for Washington Maritime Federation.
Top employment sectors include maritime logistics and shipping, shipbuilding, commercial fishing and seafood production, recreational boating, passenger water transportation, and maritime support services, according to the study.
The program will work with regional maritime employers to facilitate site visits, externships, or apprenticeships. If you are interested in supporting this effort, please contact Sarah Scherer (sscherer@maritimeinstitute.com) at Maritime Institute Everett or Trudy Swain (swaintl@mukilteo.wednet.edu) at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center.
MEDIA CONTACT: Kate Anderson, Media & Marketing Coordinator, at 425-388-0623 or katea@portofeverett.com.
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About the Port of Everett
The Port of Everett is a special-purpose district tasked with economic development. Through its international seaport, public marina and real estate development, the Port of Everett brings jobs, tax base, business and tourism to our community and region. The Port is a committed steward of the environment and waterfront. Port activities support more than 40,000 jobs in the surrounding community and contribute $433 million in state and local taxes. Learn more at www.portofeverett.com.
About Maritime Institute
The new Maritime Institute campus at the Port of Everett is the company’s first in Washington state. Maritime Institute has trained mariners for almost 50 years, working with government organizations, ship operators and maritime unions, including the U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command, Crowley, NOAA, Sailor’s Union of the Pacific, Marine Fireman’s Union, Disney Line Cruises, Foss Maritime and Washington State Ferries. Maritime Institute offers 150+ vessel operation courses certified by the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy. Through its state-of-the-art facilities, mariners receive hands-on training to earn job certifications. Courses range from one day to six weeks in length. For more information, visit www.maritimeinstitute.com.
About Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center
Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center is a cooperative effort of 15 school districts located within Snohomish County and south Island County, catering to over 40 local high schools. The skills center offers students a variety of 20+ programs available within 5 different career pathways. Programs are held in state-of-the-art industry-based classrooms taught by industry professionals, preparing students for industry. Sno-Isle TECH provides the opportunity for high school students to achieve high school credit, equivalency credit, dual college credit, industry certifications, apprenticeships, and externships. Students interested in attending a Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center program, including the new Maritime Vessel Operations program, can visit https://sc.mukilteoschools.org for more information.