Maritime Institute, Washington & California has been designated as a 2026 CoE for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education by the Maritime Administration.  As of 2024, Maritime Institute, Norfolk, Virginia also enjoys the same distinction in partnership with Old Dominion University.

We are honored to serve the maritime industry in obtaining and maintaining the highest quality workforce in the United States.  As a CoE, the distinction recognizes Maritime Institute’s contribution to workforce development, career path training/programs,  and support for infrastructure.  In doing so, CoE’s are instrumental in the sustainability and growth of the maritime sector.  We have passionately and earnestly strived to do each.

“The Secretary of Transportation designates the Maritime Institute as a 2026 Center of Excellence for its West Coast training network, which coordinates entry-level recruitment, specialized fleet upgrades, and emergency surge training. Operating campuses in San Diego, California, and Everett, Washington, the Institute delivers a wide range of U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)-approved certifications. The center serves as a vital pipeline for the industry, training new talent and upgrading the skills of working mariners to support both commercial shipping and national defense.

Operational Footprint & Assets

The Institute ensures training consistency across major coastal hubs via standardized curriculum matrices, shared instructors, and a centralized Quality Safety System Manual.
• Core Curricula: Features 86 USCG-approved courses and 8 U.S. Navy modules, covering Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Basic Training, Qualified Member of the Engine Department, engineering, electronic navigation, and advanced firefighting.
• Alternative Fuel Specialization: One of only two national providers delivering certified training for Basic/Advanced IGF Code (LNG) operations and IECEx CoPC explosive atmosphere safety.
• Shoreside Infrastructure: Offers hands-on technical training in aluminum welding, marine diesel diagnostics, and HVAC, alongside a 5-week Shipyard BootCamp.

Workforce & Regional Impact

The Institute drives labor compliance and economic growth across West Coast ports through structured workforce alliances.
• Labor Alliances: Provides targeted training for Washington State Ferries (2,100 mariners), the Marine Firemen’s Union, and the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific.
• Veteran & Youth Pathways: As a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business staffed by 70 percent veteran instructors, it runs Merchant Marine-Seas military transition tracks and 540-hour high school CTE programs.
• Proven Scale: Conducts over 16,000 annual training sessions globally, maintaining a 98.9 percent completion rate within its expanding Pacific Northwest division.

Strategic Outlook

The Institute is standardizing its Shipyard Boot Camp for multi-site deployment and expanding hybrid officer credentials. In a national crisis, its mobilization architecture can double capacity to 32,000 training sessions within 30 days using existing facilities. By balancing clean-energy propulsion training with accelerated entry-level boot camps, the Institute ensures fleet readiness and national sealift continuity.“

 

For more information on this distinction, please visit the MARAD website.

 

 

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