CFCC Designated as a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education

Wilmington, NC — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) recently designated Cape Fear Community College as a Center of Excellence (CoE) for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education for the 2021-2022 program year.

The CoE designation recognizes community colleges and training institutions that prepare students for careers in the nation’s maritime industry. CFCC was among 27 academic institutions designated spanning across sixteen states and one U.S. territory.

“Receiving the designation as a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education is truly an honor,” said CFCC Marine Technology Department Chair Jason Rogers. “The Marine Technology program and both boat building programs at CFCC have been training skilled technicians for their respective industries for nearly 60 years.”

CFCC’s Marine Technology program is designed to provide the practical skills and academic background essential for success in the area of marine scientific support. According to the most recent graduate employment survey, 94% of CFCC’s Marine Technology graduates reported they were employed full-time in the industry or continued their education at a higher level.

“The hands-on time we get while we learn about the software, hardware, and different marine systems is far beyond what I expected,” said Jeb Sylvia, a new graduate of CFCC’s Marine Technology program recently hired as a Hydrographic Technician with SurvTech Solutions in Tampa, Florida. “I feel I’m very prepared to enter this field.”

“As a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education, we will have access to federal grants and monies which will enable CFCC to continue training students using state-of-the-art equipment and continue our legacy of training students underway, at-sea, on our dedicated training vessels,” said Rogers.

“Marine Technology is a flagship program for Cape Fear Community College. Its unique courses attract students from across North Carolina and beyond,” said CFCC President Jim Morton. “This designation recognizes the talent and dedication of faculty and staff who consistently strive to deliver exemplary maritime education and training to our students. Every student who enrolls in our Marine Technology programs is assured an unparalleled experience that will prepare them for an adventurous and rewarding career.”

For more information regarding CFCC’s Marine Technology programs, visit cfcc.edu/division/marine-technology .