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É«»¨Ìà Maritime Education Consortium Is A 2024 Center Of Excellence For Domestic Maritime Workforce Training, Education

March 8, 2024

The É«»¨Ìà Maritime Education Consortium was designated as a Center of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration. The designation recognizes and promotes support to post-secondary maritime training programs that prepare students for careers in the maritime industry.

The É«»¨Ìà Maritime Education Consortium includes six academic institutions:

É«»¨Ìà Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC), Seward

• University of É«»¨Ìà Fairbanks, Bristol Bay Campus, Dillingham ;
• University of É«»¨Ìà Anchorage, Kodiak Campus, Kodiak;
• University of É«»¨Ìà Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula College, Kachemak Bay Campus, É«»¨ÌÃr;
• University of É«»¨Ìà Anchorage, Prince William Sound College, Valdez;
• University of É«»¨Ìà Southeast, Ketchikan.

É«»¨Ìà Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner-Designee Cathy Muñoz said, "Maritime education and training is important for all of É«»¨ÌÃ. I am proud of the work done by AVTEC and the University to provide nationally recognize training to É«»¨ÌÃns in this important industry."

"This designation, awarded to the É«»¨Ìà Maritime Education Consortium, recognizes the quality maritime programs being offered at UA and AVTEC and our shared mission with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to ensure É«»¨Ìà has a skilled workforce," said University of É«»¨Ìà President Pat Pitney. "Collectively, our programs in collaboration with AMEC affiliate partners reach every economic region of the state. As a consortium, we value our partnership with MARAD and are committed to increasing access to maritime career pathways and providing a workforce for this key economic sector to bolster É«»¨ÌÃ’s economic recovery and growth."

The Center of Excellence designation, which is valid for five years, reflects the ongoing commitment of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the University of É«»¨Ìà to train É«»¨ÌÃns to work in in-demand jobs across the state.