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In addition to their studies at the Maritime Academy, cadets
also attend Owens Community College where they receive
hands-on training in welding and other trades aboard ship.
In the final year of the CTE Program cadets go through U.S.
Coast Guard approved courses like STCW Basic Safety Training
which includes Personal Survival Skills, CPR and First-Aid,
Social Responsibility, Basic Firefighting Training, Crisis
Management, and Crowd Management.
When cadets graduate from the program, they have 30 semester
hours of college credit, as well as a Passport,
Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC), Merchant
Marine Credential (MMC), and a background check. After
graduation, cadets are ready for entry-level positions
aboard ship earning as much as $60,000 a year.
“The Maritime Academy
started out with a simple mission to re-introduce our area
families to our greatest natural resource --- Our area
waterways. But shortly after we opened, companies in the
maritime industry found out about the school. They quickly
realized that we were training the next generation workforce
in the maritime industry,” said Renee Marazon, president,
The Maritime Academy.
The Bureau of Labor
Statistics predicts a 20 percent job growth in the maritime
industry by the year 2020 due to baby-boomers retiring.
Toledo City Councilwoman
Theresa M. Gabriel had the opportunity to sail for a week
aboard Interlake Steamship’s Paul R. Tregurtha, the largest
freighter on the Great Lakes, in September 2013. After
talking with crew members Gabriel said there are plenty of
job opportunities for young people.
“I talked with both men
and women and was amazed at the number of positions
available, the salaries they earned, the ports of call they
visited, and the even the accommodations and the food they
had aboard ship,” she said.
The Henry Brown
Story
The Maritime Academy
graduated its first CTE Program cadets in May 2012. In
August, the Interlake Steamship Company in Cleveland came
calling. They needed a relief worker to help cover vacation
schedules. Henry Brown applied and was given the opportunity
to sail the Great Lakes.
In 22 days as a relief
worker, 18-year old Henry made over $4,500. He did such a
good job that Interlake invited him back to finish the
shipping season. Henry is now in his third season with
Interlake Steamship.
The interesting part was
that Henry never had to relocate for this position. In the
maritime industry, a worker’s home town is his home port and
his wages are taxed accordingly. So the taxable income
comes back to northwest Ohio.
“The jobs are definitely
there for our young people looking for an exciting lucrative
career. We held a job fair in May 2013 at The Maritime
Academy. Ten of our CTE graduating seniors had the
opportunity to work in the maritime industry. One chose to
go to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City,
MI, some chose to pursue other higher education
opportunities, and some wanted to go into the military. The
bottom line is the CTE Program is showing them a way up and
helping them meet their respective goals,” said Marazon.
The Maritime Academy
regularly offers tours of their campus at 803 Water St. in
Downtown Toledo. On Wednesday, January 28, from 6 – 8 p.m.
the Maritime Academy will offer a community open house. That
will include a tour, the opportunity to talk with teachers,
and a chance to review the CTE program. For more
information, call 419-244-9999 or visit
www.maritimeacademy.us
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