The Maritime Administration (MARAD) recently announced the designation of 32 centers of excellence (CoE) for domestic maritime workforce training and education.
CoEs support post-secondary maritime training programs that prepare students for careers in the maritime industry.
Under Section 51706 of title 46 United States Code, the secretary of transportation is authorized to designate a domestic maritime work force training and education facility as a “center of excellence” if the location has demonstrated successful maritime workforce training and education, among other things.
“Our centers of excellence designations recognize the high standards of maritime education and training provided by these organizations,” Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips said. “These institutions play a critical role in providing domestic mariners with the expertise needed to best serve the maritime industry.”
The newly designated CoEs are located in 50 maritime training locations in 17 states and Guam.
“Our country depends on a highly-skilled mariner work force to strengthen both our economy and our national security,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “The 32 Centers of Excellence we’re designating today will promote training opportunities outside of traditional four-year degree programs and will bring more Americans into these great maritime careers.”
In July, MARAD published a solicitation for applications.