South Seattle College’s Six-Month Maritime Welding Program Recruiting for Spring Quarter
South Seattle College’s short-term Maritime Welding program, in partnership with Vigor Industrial, is now accepting students for Spring Quarter 2018. Classes begin April 2, and students train on-site at the Harbor Island Training Center. The six-month program prepares students for careers in Seattle’s growing maritime industry.
Over six months, students build a foundation in welding, blueprint reading, fabrication, applied mathematics and safety procedures, while earning a variety of certifications including OSHA, industrial safety and fork Lift operation. Graduates are prepared for shipyard-specific welding and fitting positions.
“Vigor and South Seattle College’s partnership is deeply valued at Vigor, and is an important pipeline to bring us the future workforce we need,” said Ed Richardson, operations manager for Vigor’s Harbor Island Shipyard. “This intensive six-month welding certification program prepares students with the complete certifications needed to be employable by Vigor or other employers in the maritime trades.”
The maritime industry is in need of skilled workers. Driving that demand is an aging workforce (the average age of a maritime welder in the U.S. is 54), and as these workers near retirement many new welding technicians will be needed to fill these open positions. To meet these needs, South Seattle College partnered with Portland-based Vigor Industrial to form the 8,000-square foot Harbor Island Training Center, a “Classroom-In-A-Shipyard.” Students develop skills in a real-world setting, taught by industry professionals with decades of experience.
Registration is now open! To learn more about the program and upcoming information sessions, please contact Ona Fisher, Career Specialist, at (206) 934-7962 or ona.fisher@seattlecolleges.edu.
Learn more about the program at southseattle.edu/harbor-island-training-center/