Delgado Community College (Jefferson Campus): U.S. Department Of Transportation Designates Delgado As Center Of Excellence For Domestic ...

Press release from the Delgado Community College Jefferson Campus:

May 24, 2021

On May 21, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD)
announced the designation of 27 Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce
Training and Education (CoE). The CoE designation recognizes community colleges and
training institutions that prepare students for careers in our nation’s maritime industry.
These academic institutions are located in sixteen states and one U.S. territory.

The Delgado Community College Maritime and Industrial Training Center is one of the
new Centers of Excellence.

“Our collaboration with these institutions represents an important expansion of MARAD’s
role in supporting maritime education and will help form pathways to good-paying American
jobs in our nation’s maritime industry,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

“This is the culmination of many years of dedication and service by faculty and staff
at our facility. Delgado and LCTCS administration supported us every step along the
way. We are grateful for the CoE designation and we look forward to expanding opportunities
for maritime education at Delgado,” said Delgado Maritime and Industrial Training
Center Senior Director Rick Schwab.

MARAD may now start working with the designated institutions to enter into cooperative
agreements to help advance recruitment of students and faculty, enhance facilities,
award student credit for military service, and potentially receive assistance in the
form of surplus equipment or temporary use of MARAD vessels.

Authorized under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018, the CoE program is
designed to assist the maritime industry in gaining and sustaining a well-trained
labor force while enhancing diversity and inclusion in the industry.

“The CoE designations recognize the high standard of maritime education and training
provided by the designated community and technical colleges and maritime training
centers. These institutions play vital roles in our nation’s maritime industry by
providing the training and skills students need to begin and advance careers afloat
and ashore,” said Acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley.

Information regarding the CoE program and the application process was disseminated
through Federal Register notices. Successful applicants include accredited community
colleges, technical colleges, and maritime training centers under State supervision.
A searchable, interactive map is available to provide information on each CoE designee.
For additional information, please visit Centers of Excellence on the MARAD website.

This press release was produced by the Delgado Community College Jefferson Campus. The views expressed here are the author’s own.