Sea School Northwest, located in Aberdeen, WA, offers a new type of education for aspiring mariners that functions as a springboard into the maritime industry.  Sea School Northwest’s curriculum incorporates weekly USCG licensing guidance, hands-on skill development, lessons in maritime systems, industry readings and video content, and professional development round table discussions.

Sea School Northwest grew out of an effort to address the existing challenges in the maritime industry, and guide the professional development of sailors in new and exciting ways. Their initial discoveries revealed the following:

• In Washington state, the maritime industry is experiencing a growth of 6.4% annually, but the workforce is “greying” and is struggling to recruit workers with entry-level skills.  

• Currently, there is a homogeneous male-dominated workforce on the commercial side of the industry, with only 2% of the global industry identifying as female. 

• 49.6% of experienced tall ship sailors are unable to afford the expense of professional licensing that would allow them to be competitive hires in the rest of the industry.

SSNW students take away from the program a real life experience on the water, a clear understanding of the professional path that they hope to pursue, and an USCG Ordinary Seaman Credential to make them competitive entry-level hires.

Contact SSNW for more information on upcoming workforce training opportunities, tuition and the application process.

Photo credit: SSNW