March 25, 2025 – The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is launching a national effort to advance workforce development in the maritime industry through its continued regional initiative. Maritime stakeholders are invited to join NAMEPA’s Washington, D.C. Regional Gathering on May 21st as part of National Maritime Week to participate in the construction of a national workforce development template.
The session will begin with a review of the progress of MARAD’s workforce development strategy published last year. This will be followed by a spotlight on the Port Houston Partners in Maritime Education (PHPME) program, which has successfully developed and deployed a skilled workforce pipeline for the Houston maritime industry. The PHPME case study will serve as a model for replication to other maritime centers. Additionally, MITAGS will share the strategy of their programs and opportunities within workforce development.
Following these discussions, NAMEPA will present a workforce development template based on this success. This template will be shared for review and feedback with the intent to deploy across NAMEPA’s regional programs nationally including those in D.C.-Metro, California, New England, Florida, NY/NJ, Louisiana and Seattle. The goal is to strengthen pathways from K-12 education to post-secondary opportunities and beyond, ensuring a viable future workforce pipeline for the maritime industry.
A Call to Action for Maritime Stakeholders
Workforce development in the maritime industry is essential not only for the economy but also for national security. As maritime security is directly tied to national security, the need for a skilled and capable workforce is critical. NAMEPA is calling on maritime stakeholders, industry leaders, educators, policymakers, and local communities to come together to build the next generation of maritime professionals.
From K-12 students exploring maritime career opportunities to post-secondary programs providing the hands-on training needed for the industry, this conversation will focus on strengthening pathways across all education levels. It is essential that we invest in a highly skilled workforce that is equipped to tackle the challenges of the maritime industry, especially one with expansion goals.
Regional Initiatives Empowering Future Growth
NAMEPA’s regional initiatives are designed to foster collaboration, share best practices, and ensure that each community can build the talent pool needed for future growth. By focusing on skills development, industry needs, and training programs, NAMEPA empowers local communities with the tools they need to build a workforce that will support the maritime industry’s ongoing expansion.
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Maritime
As NAMEPA works to strengthen and expand the maritime workforce, we encourage all maritime stakeholders to get involved. This is a call to action to help create a skilled and adaptable workforce capable of meeting the demands of the evolving, expanding national maritime industry. Together, we can build a strong foundation for the industry’s future success and ensure its growth for generations to come.
For more information about NAMEPA and its initiatives, please visit www.namepa.net
Media Contact: Molly Dushay, Executive Director (m.dushay@namepa.net)
About North American Marine Environment Protection Association
The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a maritime industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. For more information visit www.namepa.net.