(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MarAd) announced on Wednesday the designation of 27 Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE). The CoE designation recognizes community colleges and training institutions that prepare students for careers in our nation’s maritime industry. These academic institutions are located in 16 states and one U.S. territory.
“Our collaboration with these institutions represents an important expansion of MarAd’s role in supporting maritime education and will help form pathways to good-paying American jobs in our nation’s maritime industry,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
MarAd may now start working with the designated institutions to enter into cooperative agreements to help advance recruitment of students and faculty, enhance facilities, award student credit for military service, and potentially receive assistance in the form of surplus equipment or temporary use of MarAd vessels.
Authorized under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018, the CoE program is designed to assist the maritime industry in gaining and sustaining a well-trained labor force while enhancing diversity and inclusion in the industry.
“The CoE designations recognize the high standard of maritime education and training provided by the designated community and technical colleges and maritime training centers. These institutions play vital roles in our nation’s maritime industry by providing the training and skills students need to begin and advance careers afloat and ashore,” said Acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley.
Information regarding the CoE program and the application process was disseminated through Federal Register notices. Successful applicants include accredited community colleges, technical colleges, and maritime training centers under state supervision. A searchable, interactive map is available to provide information on each CoE designee. For additional information, please visit Centers of Excellence on the MarAd website.
A complete list of Center of Excellence designees follows:
ALASKA
Alaska Maritime Education Consortium (AMEC) which include five universities: University of Alaska located in Fairbanks, University of Alaska Southeast at Juneau, Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) in Seward, University of Alaska Anchorage, and University of Alaska Southeast at Ketchikan.
CALIFORNIA
Mira Costa Community College District (MCCCD) in Oceanside.
Long Beach Community College District (LBCCD) in Long Beach.
Orange Coast College (OCC) in Newport Beach.
FLORIDA
Star Center (STAR) in Dania Beach.
College of the Florida Keys (CFK) in Key West.
KENTUCKY
West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) in Paducah.
LOUISIANA
Delgado Community College (DCC) in New Orleans.
MARYLAND
Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) in Arnold.
MM&P Maritime Advancement, Training, Education, and Safety Program (MITAGS) in Linthicum Heights.
Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) in Baltimore.
MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) in Perkinston.
Hinds Community College (HCC) in Raymond.
NEW YORK
Kingsborough Community College (KBCC) in Brooklyn.
NORTH CAROLINA
Carteret Community College (CarteretCC) in Morehead City.
Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) in Wilmington.
OREGON
Clatsop Community College (ClatsopCC) in Astoria.
Pacific Northwest Maritime Industries Education Alliance (PAC Maritime) in Portland.
PENNSYLVANIA
Delaware County Community College (DCCC) in Media.
RHODE ISLAND
Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) in Warwick.
TEXAS
San Jacinto Community College District (SJCCD) in Pasadena.
VIRGINIA
Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy (MAMA) in Norfolk.
Tidewater Community College (TCC) in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach.
WASHINGTON
Divers Institute of Technology (DIT) in Seattle, Flagship Maritime LLC (Flagship) in Tacoma, MM&P Maritime Advancement, Training, Education and Safety Program (MITAGS) in Seattle, and Pacific Northwest Maritime Industries Education Alliance (PAC Maritime) in Seattle and Mount Vernon.
WISCONSIN
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) in Green Bay.
GUAM
Guam Shipyard (GSY) in Tamuning.
