Mayor Murray visits Harbor Island Training Center
On the heels of announcing his long-awaited pick for the new police chief, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray found time on a hectic day, May 19, for an important visit to the Harbor Island Training Center, where Vigor Industrial and South Seattle College have partnered to train the next generation of shipbuilders.
At the training center students learn welding skills on-site at Vigor's shipyard over two quarters. Once finished, they are prepared for employment in shipbuilding and other welding professions.
May 19 marked the Mayor's first visit to the training center, where he was eager to hear from Seattle Colleges, Vigor, workforce partners and students about how the program is training future welders to replace an aging workforce, and how their education plays into the future prosperity of our region.
The program's first cohort class graduated in December, and 72 percent of those students found work within two months of graduation. The second class will graduate in June, and students on the verge of that huge achievement shared their stories with Mayor Murray.
Naomi Ruden is a sculpture artist who had trouble finding work before learning about the Harbor Island Training Center.
"I'm transitioning my sculpture background into an industrial setting, and so this program for me has been really fantastic," she said. "It's made me a better welder and I'll be able to find work."
Daniel McKee heard about the program while listening to a KUOW story on the radio one day and, while he had never welded a day in his life, he decided to quit working retail and give it a shot.
"I checked it out and now I'm really interested in working in the marine industry," he said. "I'm really excited about it and I believe I'll be able to make it in the work field."
Fred Kiga, Vice President of Government Affairs at Vigor, called the program "an amazing collaboration between public, private and the educational community," adding, "I don't think there is quite a project that does something as intensive as this, and provides the potential for earning certification after six months."
"Having education on site at the place of employment is absolutely electric," Wendy Price, South's Dean of Workforce Education, told the Mayor. "They get to come to school where they are going to be going to work. It is incredible exposure for students."
Before the Mayor's visit wrapped up one final student and a U.S. Armed Forces veteran joined the conversation.
"This is going to open up opportunities for me, and I know it," Michael Palmer said. "They (South's workforce advisors with help from partners) bend over backwards to find funding for us. It really would make their life a lot easier if they had more available funding. To me, if you want to make this city stronger, you put people to work."
"Well said," Mayor Murray replied. "Very well said."
Seattle Colleges Chancellor Jill Wakefield and South Seattle College President Gary Oertli joined the Mayor during his visit.
The Harbor Island Training Center was funded by a partnership between Vigor, South, state funds appropriated by the legislature and the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County.
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To view a photo gallery of the Mayor's visit, please click here.