Page 28: of Marine News Magazine (January 2016)

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TRAINING

Maritime

Training:

Keeping it

Close to Home

On the U.S. Gulf Coast, two well-regarded maritime education providers are expand- ing to meet growing local demand, while satisfying local employers with quality graduates. The sense of ‘community’ that they project is both real, and intentional.

By Joseph Keefe ton Ship Channel, the San Jacinto College Maritime

Technology and Training Center is getting ready for this month’s debut. Construction has been ongoing since last

Fall. The facility will serve as the site for certi? cate and ess than 350 miles apart, the ports of Houston and associate degree maritime training delivered through U.S.

New Orleans handle all manners of marine com- Coast Guard-required and approved course work.

merce and cargoes, employ tens of thousands on Both expansion projects will augment already robust

L the waterfront and collectively service an increasingly maritime programs at the schools and increase enrollment large percentage of the nation’s domestic and international and training capabilities. That they operate under the um- marine traf? c. As both ports deepen their channels and brella of a local community college system gives both local grow their facilities, the need for quali? ed mariners, dock ties, measurable commitments to the cities that they serve, workers and marine professionals has become more acute. and real value to the brown water and inland commerce

In response, homegrown talent is emerging in both cit- that thrives just minutes from their doorsteps. ies, trained locally and delivered directly to customers that need the help. Delgado Community College

In both cities, that sense of community emanates, in Over time, the Maritime, Fire, and Industrial Train- part, from local community colleges, already providing a ing Facility at Delgado Community College has earned a wide menu of marine training, but also expanding to meet national and international reputation for providing qual- new demands. Louisiana-based Delgado Community Col- ity maritime and industrial ? re? ghting, radar, safety and lege is one such facility, having broken ground earlier this U.S. Coast Guard-approved training. For more than two year on a new Delgado Maritime and Industrial Training decades, Delgado’s experienced instructors have helped

Center. The $7 million state-funded project is expected to provide training to licensed mariners and industry per- be completed by February 2016. sonnel in the maritime, oil and gas, and safety/homeland

Separately, and located in close proximity to the Hous- security ? elds.

January 2016

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