Congratulations to the University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan campus for receiving a 5-year, $6.6 million federal Title III grant to transform the UAS Ketchikan Technical Center into the UAS Regional Maritime Technical Training Center. This is great news and comes just days after the Ketchikan Shipyard received the construction contract for two new Alaska Marine Highway System ferries. I’m proud of the UAS Ketchikan campus for responding so timely to the training and educational needs of our regional industries.
The completed Regional Maritime Technical Training Center will enhance the Marine Transportation program, the Maritime and Multi-Skilled Worker program, and associated courses including welding, diesel engine maintenance and repair, hydraulics maintenance and repair, refrigeration maintenance and repair, and marine electrical maintenance and repair. The project will also incorporate upgrades and innovations to classroom technology across the campus to enhance e-learning courses for students living outside of Ketchikan.
By improving the training center and upgrading e-learning technology, there will be more opportunities for students to enroll in certificate and degree programs that lead to occupations with Vigor’s Ketchikan Shipyard, the Alaska Marine Highway System, seafood processing, and many other maritime industries. More Alaskans will be able to enroll in these programs, stay in their communities and work towards an education that will lead to living wage jobs.
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