Alaska Maritime Education Consortium Is A 2024 Center Of Excellence For Domestic Maritime Workforce Training, Education

March 8, 2024

The Alaska Maritime Education Consortium was designated as a Center of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration. The designation recognizes and promotes support to post-secondary maritime training programs that prepare students for careers in the maritime industry.

The Alaska Maritime Education Consortium includes six academic institutions:

Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC), Seward

  • University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bristol Bay Campus, Dillingham ;
  • University of Alaska Anchorage, Kodiak Campus, Kodiak;
  • University of Alaska Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula College, Kachemak Bay Campus, Homer;
  • University of Alaska Anchorage, Prince William Sound College, Valdez;
  • University of Alaska Southeast, Ketchikan.

Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner-Designee Cathy Muñoz said, "Maritime education and training is important for all of Alaska. I am proud of the work done by AVTEC and the University to provide nationally recognize training to Alaskans in this important industry."

"This designation, awarded to the Alaska Maritime Education Consortium, recognizes the quality maritime programs being offered at UA and AVTEC and our shared mission with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to ensure Alaska has a skilled workforce," said University of Alaska President Pat Pitney. "Collectively, our programs in collaboration with AMEC affiliate partners reach every economic region of the state. As a consortium, we value our partnership with MARAD and are committed to increasing access to maritime career pathways and providing a workforce for this key economic sector to bolster Alaska’s economic recovery and growth."

The Center of Excellence designation, which is valid for five years, reflects the ongoing commitment of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the University of Alaska to train Alaskans to work in in-demand jobs across the state.