Setting Sail on Career Pathways: T3’s Maritime Field Experience

Last week T3 Alaska students participated in a 2 credit course offered through the Prince William Sound College. For those who completed the course were eligible for the upcoming Maritime Intensive in Anchorage and Seward. Three recent maritime theme STEAM Fests, along with the course and upcoming intensive have been a collaboration between T3 Alaska and Alaska Workforce Alliance.

The Introduction to Maritime Trades field trip from April 28 to May 2, 2025, provides students from across Alaska a hands-on opportunity to explore careers in the maritime industry. The trip begin in Anchorage, where students participated in a Boaters Safety Class, obtained TWIC and food handler’s cards, and engaged in pool training at West High School. The group then travels to Bear Lake Lodge in Seward, where they continue their training and team-building activities in a more immersive setting. Students have the chance to explore the Seward Marine Center, attend a lifeboat and Davit class with AVTEC, and take part in a maritime-themed escape room at the harbor—all of which deepened their understanding of maritime tools, safety, and teamwork.

On the second half of the trip, students spend a full day at AVTEC for an in-depth classroom session covering maritime history, industry sectors, and logistical operations. They also tour a local hatchery and attended a “Women of the Water” presentation that emphasized the importance of gender diversity in maritime trades. The experience wraps up in Anchorage with the Boaters Safety Exam, compass navigation practice, and student project presentations. The trip aims to foster new skills, spark career interest, and build lasting connections among students from different regions of Alaska, setting a strong foundation for future learning and collaboration in the maritime field.