When:
August 31, 2018 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
2018-08-31T13:00:00-07:00
2018-08-31T16:00:00-07:00
Where:
Olympia's Port Plaza
701 Columbia St NW
Olympia, WA 98501
USA
701 Columbia St NW
Olympia, WA 98501
USA
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Olympia, WA – An unusual program is making an unusual offer for Olympians. Sea School Northwest, a program designed to train adults for entry-level maritime jobs in 8 weeks at sea, is visiting Olympia at the end of this month with information about the program and scholarships, in hopes that local residents will come aboard to learn the trade.
“We are looking for adults 18 or older who are ready to jump in, and start something totally new in their life,” says program Assistant Director, Caitlin Stanton. “Joining Sea School Northwest means you will leave home, join the crew of a ship, and become a mariner. If you complete the program, you’ll get a foot in the door to an amazing, high-wage, growing job market. We have scholarships available for people who are ready to make the leap.”
The program is an initiative of Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, the nonprofit whose vessels Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain travel the west coast all year, regularly visiting Olympia and notably participating in the Olympia Harbor Days Festival. Lady Washington also enjoys the status of being the official state ship of Washington.
To inform local residents about the program, Sea School Northwest will host two events in Olympia. The training vessel, tall ship Hawaiian Chieftain, will be hosting a Vessel Open House on Friday, August 31st from 1pm to 4pm. This event is free, is located on the ship docked at Olympia’s Port Plaza, and will offer visitors the chance to explore the vessel and learn about the job training and available scholarships. An Industry Panel Discussion on Saturday, September 1st from 11am to 1pm will dive even deeper, featuring working mariners talking about what their jobs are like and offering insight into a unique industry. The panel event is also free, will occur just two blocks from where Hawaiian Chieftain is docked in the Double Tree Hotel’s Capitol Room. Refreshments will be provided. Attendees can learn about their job options, what to expect working at sea, and ask questions. Sea School Northwest staff will be present to talk about scholarship opportunities, which are available to anyone 18 or older who makes less than double the 2017 federal poverty level (e.g. $24,280 for a single adult, $50,200 for a family of 4). On the same date as the panel, tall ship Hawaiian Chieftain will be open from 10am to 1pm for vessel tours, so attendees can visit the vessel after 10am and head over to the panel by 11am.
“We are thrilled to be offering the Olympia community these events,” wrote Program Director Hali Boyd. “We’ll be putting on a very informative, useful event for people who are interested in these jobs.”
Tall ships Hawaiian Chieftain [the Sea School Northwest training vessel] and Lady Washington will be visiting Olympia from August 29th to September 4th, and participating in Olympia Harbor Days. During their visit, the vessels will offer 2 and 3 hour sailing excursions, vessel tours, and an onboard gift shop. More information about the vessels and schedules can be found at www.historicalseaport.org.
If you’re ready to run away to sea, more information and application paperwork can be found at www.seaschoolnw.org.
