b'In2019,WashingtonStateFerriessubmittedits2040In 2021, now Washington State Department of Transpor-FOGHORN FOCUS LongRangePlantotheWashingtonStateLegislature.tation (WSDOT) Secretary and head of WSF Steve Nevey, The document looked at the next two decades with a fo- joined the team, bringing with him ideas based in part on cus on improving service, customer experience, and thehis personal experiences pursuing his own license. He had resiliency of the system, and included a goal of starting thegone through an apprenticeship program in the U.K. to transition to a zero-emission fleet. Statistics shared in theget his credentials and worked with staff at WSF to build a plan pointed to the startling forecast that in the next fivesimilar initiative there. Partnering with fellow PVA mem-years, a significant number of licensed deckhands and en- ber Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Stud-gine room officers would likely retire. It sounded an alarmies(MITAGS),theMaritimeApprenticeshipProgram bell. Building its workforce became the number one issue(MAP) was created. Through this program, crew can get for the operation.their credentials and eventually their pilotage license, pav-ing the way for individuals to work their way up to licensed The team began to develop several initiatives to grow itsdeck officer jobs. labor force as well as implement systems to keep employ-ment stable. One of the first issues they addressed was theIt started with a pilot program as a proof of concept. In costtoindividualstoachievethecredentialsneededtothat first round, WSF supported crew that were enrolled to reach higher level positions such as captain. The financialease the burden on them. Upon completion, the students were able to leverage their new licenses with their employ-ment at the operation. The team at WSF took the results of the pilot program to the state legislature and were able to receive funding to evolve this into a scholarship program One of the first issues theythat fully covers the tuition for participants. addressed was the cost toThe initial full scholarship version of the program launched in 2024, and the next session started at the beginning of individuals to achieve thethis year. The program has continued to gain popularity, and the most recent application period saw over 300 people credentials needed to reachsubmit to be a part of the program which offers only 12 seats per session. Of the 300 applicants, Hunter noted that higher level positions suchfor various reasons not all were qualified, sometimes simply due to being under the required age. The team sees poten-as captain. The financialtial in the unqualified applicants, hoping their interest in the program translates into interest in the maritime indus-burden was too much fortry and leads people to seek qualification for the program or possibly find other paths into the industrys workforce. some crew members. Hunter said that the partnership with MITAGS has been great. The team at WSF has found MITAGS very helpful through the process and that theyre making it a fantastic experience for participants. Its a fun program, she said. burden was too much for some crew members. If youre aIve gotten to go to a lot of the simulations and its cool, single parent, if youre from a socioeconomically disadvan- very interactive.taged community, this is a real barrier for people to get to these positions that we need them to get toeven if youveOne element of MAP is job shadowing in which students got the skill and background, said Bryn Hunter, part ofworkontheferrieswithmentors,suchascaptainsand the WSF communications team. It became a priority tochief mates. Its designed so that the students become high-address the costs to make it a viable option for more crewly qualified and are prepared to apply for a job with the to get their license.ferry system. FOGHORN 10'