EQUITY ENGAGEMENT

Guiding youth toward adventurous careers in the maritime industry through paid internships, experiential learning events, and thoughtful career exploration with a specific focus on equity and inclusivity.

Workforce and Employer Development at Maritime Blue

Expanded Maritime Collab

The Expanded Maritime Collaborative (EMC) offers a series of six-week after-school programs for high school students in the Seattle and South King County area. The purpose of the EMC is to create an opportunity where students can become aware, interested and engaged in the maritime sector throughout the school year.

STIPEND: $500

Open to ages 15 – 18

Youth Maritime Accelerator Project

An eight-week summer program designed to heighten maritime familiarity through experiential event trips, job readiness training, and work experience. Youth will gain knowledge & skill sets.

STIPEND: $3,000

Open to ages 18-24

Youth Maritime Career Launch

Three-month on-the-job training in the summer or fall designed to teach, shape & grow participants through internship participation in a company’s field of work, with aspirations leading program participants to entry-level career placement.

STIPEND: $9,600

Open to ages 18 – 24

The Youth Maritime Collaborative (YMC) is comprised of members from regional maritime organizations, youth programs, industry leaders, education programs, and local government agencies. As a team, the Collaborative works to create career pathways for youth pursuing careers in the maritime industry. YMC is committed to guiding today’s youth toward maritime-related careers. Through experiential events and high school internships, the Collaborative works to connect companies with the next generation of skilled workers. YMC is hosted and facilitated by Washington Maritime Blue.

EMPLOYERS

We’re always looking for great companies and industry leaders to help us improve maritime career pathways for students.

Engage with us by reaching out to our Employer Engagement Manager Dontay Proctor-Mills at dontay@maritimeblue.org

Host Youth Participants

  • Host an intern

  • Provide a tour of your facility

  • Allow a participant to job shadow you

  • Host a field trip for a group of participants

  • Provide a service-learning project for youth volunteers

Educate
  • Serve on an outreach panel

  • Sponsor an experiential event

  • Represent your company at a high school career fair

  • Provide a service-learning project for high school volunteers

  • Participate in one of our experiential events as an exhibitor

Employer Spotlight: Dauntless XR

Dauntless XR specializes in augmented, mixed, and extended reality (AR/MR/XR) software for the Air Force, Space Force, private aviation, and is currently exploring maritime applications.

In Summer 2024, Dauntless XR hosted an intern – Amanuel – through Maritime Blue’s Youth Maritime Accelerator Project (YMAP).

During the internship, Amanuel gained valuable marketing experience while supporting the company’s growing influence in cutting-edge technology. One of his key projects was creating an infographic for the company’s website, helping to communicate Dauntless’s innovative solutions.

With a passion for computer science, Amanuel hopes to return next summer to contribute to the software development team.

Reflecting on his experience, Amanuel shared, “I definitely enjoyed the internship and was fortunate to be placed in a role so closely aligned to my interests. It was a great opportunity to gain exposure to the industry and learn more about how AR and MR are shaping the future.” 

Calendar

Upcoming Programs

Expanded Maritime Collab (EMC)

Youth Maritime Accelerator Project (YMAP)

 

 

SPRING 2025

April – May

Programming includes sea time with Sound Experience on the Schooner Adventuress.

 

 

SUMMER 2025

June – August

Programming includes job training and an eight week internship with maritime employers.

Interested in hosting an intern, let us know.