The Harbor Island Training Center
The Harbor Island Training Center is officially open for business! The Training Center is a partnership with South Seattle Community College and Vigor Industrial designed to give students the skills needed for today's manufacturing and maritime industry. The event drew a lively crowd of nearly 150 people that included everyone from state representatives to students.
Classes for the program will begin on July 1st, but today Vigor hosted the official ribbon cutting ceremony to open the Center. The classroom is located on Vigor's shipyard and the training will be provided under the guidance of South's Welding and Fabrication program.
"The primary goal of this program is to provide students with the skills that they need to become a part of the booming maritime and manufacturing industry," South Seattle President Gary Oertli explained. "The industry is growing and the skills that we teach at the Harbor Island Training Center are in high-demand and this partnership will allow us to meet those demands."
Students will sharpen their welding fitting and layout skills that are in high-demand in the job market. Additionally, this training will open the doors for furthering their education in welding and apprenticeship opportunities.
"There's a disconnect between industry and a lot of talented hardworking people in this country," explained Sue Haley, Vigor's senior vice president of human resources. "People want to work and industry needs a highly skilled workforce. However, Vigor and other manufacturers can't find enough workers with the right skills to fill good-paying jobs. This training center will bridge that disconnect by providing motivated people with critical industrial skills."
The partnership has received support by several local groups including the Port of Seattle. In addition to Vigor's investment, funding for the program has been appropriated by both the House and Senate budgets.
Champions of the program in the House included Representative Larry Seaquist and Judy Clibborn, who also attended today's ceremony.
Seaquist, Chair of the House Higher Education Committee (26th LD) said: "what you see here today is the future of higher education," during his remarks.
Clibborn, Chair of the House Transportation Committee (41st LD), showed her support because of the value she sees in a public and private partnership.
"We want to make sure that we have work-ready employees," she explained. "This is a shining example of a good investment that is more than just the dollars. It's a partnership."
While space is limited, students can still enroll in the program. For more information on the program visit: southseattle.edu/harbor-island-training-center.