U.S. Department Of Transportation Designates Alaska Maritime Education Consortium A Center Of Excellence For Domestic Maritime Training

May 19, 2021
No. 21-17

JUNEAU, Alaska — Today the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced the designation of 27 Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education.

The Alaska Maritime Education Consortium, a partnership of the University of Alaska and the Alaska Technical Vocational Center (AVTEC), is among a select group of the best maritime educational programs in the country to receive the designation.

"The prestigious designation is designed to assist the maritime industry in preparing a well-trained workforce," said Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Dr. Tamika L. Ledbetter. "With more coastline than all the other United States combined, safely transporting passengers and freight or carrying out commercial fishing operations in Alaska waters requires well-qualified captains and crew members."

The collaboration between UA and AVTEC will help form pathways to good-paying jobs.

"This designation, one of two awarded to a 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 Alaska has a skilled workforce," said University of Alaska Interim President Pat Pitney. "Collectively, our programs reach every region of the state. We value our partnership with AVTEC and are committed to increasing access to maritime career pathways and providing a workforce for this key economic sector to help bolster Alaska’s economic recovery and growth."

For more information on the Centers for Excellence program, visit U.S. DOT's Maritime Administration website here: https://www.maritime.dot.gov/newsroom/maritime-administration-announces-first-centers-excellence-designations-domestic-maritime.

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