The Youth Career Launch program is for young people ages 18-24 to receive training and certification that qualifies them for entry-level roles in our region's dynamic maritime industry! The Port partners with maritime industry employers to host participants for three month internships that may lead to permanent employment.
The following partners are leading the program - for more information, please visit their websites:
Martrez Darden shared his awesome experience working in the engine room of a Washington State Ferry with us, check it out!
For Maritime Employers
If you are a maritime company and you would like to host a Youth Maritime Career Launch intern, we would love to work with you!
Background
The Youth Career Launch Program builds on work begun by the Port in 2020 when it created the Opportunity Youth Initiative as a direct response to the economic crisis in communities most impacted by COVID.
In 2021, the Opportunity Youth Initiative provided 280 youth – the majority of whom were youth of color and from economically distressed zip codes – with internship training opportunities in Port-related jobs and careers in aviation, construction, green jobs, and maritime.
An order presented by Commissioner Hamdi Mohamed and supported by fellow commissioners renames the Port’s Opportunity Youth Initiative to the Youth Career Launch Program, explores how to evolve the program from a temporary economic response to a permanent program aligned with core Port priorities and best practices, expands community and industry partnership, and lays the groundwork for a process to evaluate and set a plan for the program’s future by the end of 2024. The pilot program will be funded for a total of $4.1 million over three years to directly support maritime industry career preparation and launch.
