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www.marinelink.com 49?make it work.? Eight weeks later, the Swan Island Training Center opened for class with 20 welding booths. PCC provides the students, and oversees enrollment, tu-ition and scholarships. They also grant college credits and industrial certiÞ ca-tions. Vigor provides the instructors, the work space, and something a shipyard has plenty of ? scrap steel for practicing. The classroom is located on Vigor?s 64- acre industrial shipyard facility. Rasmussen, the lead instructor and now a full-time PCC employee, is justi-Þ ably proud of his work helping his stu- dents gain meaningful employment and lifelong careers. He notes, ?They can take the skills they learn in the classroom anywhere in the country.? Classes run four days a week, Þ ve hours a day. The program started with an evening class of 15 students, but quickly expanded to include an afternoon class. The Swan Island facility now has a wait-ing list of more than 160 students. ?The demand is there,? said Rasmussen. While students aren?t guaranteed a job with Vigor when they graduate, Haley says, ?Vigor has hired approximately 40% of the qualiÞ ed students from the PCC program that are actually looking for work.? Some students already have jobs and take the course to improve their skills. Harbor Island Training Center With the success of the Swan Island facility, Vigor began thinking about a similar option in Seattle. One day in late 2012, Haley was hosting a labor man-agement committee meeting when CEO Foti dropped by and announced they would be building a training center in Seattle and that it would open on June 1. With the announcement made public and a short deadline, Haley scrambled to Þ nd a training partner and space for the facil-ity. Within two weeks, she had a com- mitment from South Seattle Community College (SSCC) and 20,000 square feet of warehouse space on Vigor?s Harbor Island shipyard earmarked for future classrooms. Vigor spokesperson, Brian Mannion, said Vigor built out the classrooms and weld-booths and supplied the equip-ment. There is currently space for 24 students, but plans are already underway to increase that to 48.Vigor?s investment in the facility topped a half million dollars. In addi-tion, both the Washington State House and Senate budgets have provided fund-ing for the program. The Workforce Development Council, a local non-proÞ t, grant-making agency provided Þ nancial support and tuition assistance to help veterans and displaced workers attend courses at the center. Says Mary Lockman, SSCC Program Advisor, ?many students didn?t even have appropriate shoes or clothes? for working in a shipyard. The WDC has helped meet those needs. The educational partnership expanded when the United Association of Plumb- ers and PipeÞ tters, Local 32, joined the team. The Union donated welding ma- chines and provides additional training and certiÞ cation options for current em- ployees wishing to maintain or improve job skills, making use of the training center during non-class hours. Says Hal-ey, ?The unions have been great to work with. They share our interest in having more skilled people join the trades.?The facility ofÞ cially opened in June with the Þ rst class starting in July and running through December. The facil- ity includes a computer lab and formal classroom space for morning lectures YOUR NO MAINTENANCE, GREASE-FREE SOLUTION!THORPLAS-BLUE DECK MACHINERY BEARINGS ThorPlas-Blue provides ship owners and OEMs with pollution-free, low maintenance, long lasting bearing solutions for marine deck machinery and steering gear. Ask us how you can reduce your operating costs and improve crew safety with our grease-free alternative to bronze bushings! ZERO POLLUTION | HIGH PERFORMANCE | BEARING & SEAL SYSTEMSTo contact your local distributor, please visit: www.ThordonBearings.comFairlead bearings and washers Lifeboat/tender davit and sheave bearings Hydraulic steering gear self aligning bearingsCranes, hoists and deck loading bearingsMR #9 (42-49).indd 49MR #9 (42-49).indd 499/3/2013 12:13:52 PM9/3/2013 12:13:52 PM