FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2005

CONTACT: Steve Dolan
(619) 594-5664
sdolan@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Thursday, January 20, 2005 - With a growing workforce need for the 35,000 people employed in jobs on the San Diego waterfront, San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies (CES) is launching a Professional Certificate in Maritime Careers program beginning March 1.

The curriculum is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve success in the shoreside/waterfront and/or oceangoing maritime industry. Some classes will be held off-site, and a hands-on approach will be incorporated.

Among those expected to attend are entry level workers, deckhands, navigators, estimators, waterfront security guards, planners/schedulers, project managers, facilities managers, and contract administrators.

"There is good reason for San Diego being called America's Finest City," said William Byxbee, CES dean. "The first thing most people see when they arrive here is our magnificent bay. Sailing vessels, pleasure boats, working cargo ships and major cruise liners, not to mention the US Coast Guard and Navy ply the waters in and around our protected harbor. As one of the largest growing sectors of our economy, the maritime industry has a constant need for highly qualified and well trained professionals, in both the shoreside and oceangoing aspects of the business. The College of Extended Studies is uniquely qualified to design, test and offer our certificate program as part of our ever growing commitment to Workforce Development Certificates."

The maritime industry is vitally important for San Diego. According to the Port of San Diego's statistics, more than 25 percent of San Diego's gross regional product ($16 billion annual economic output) stems from United States Government and Unified Port District waterfront activities.

San Diego comprises 27 miles of shoreline, 1,600 acres of industrial and commercial land use, and 6,000 acres of military land. Port cities are Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City, and San Diego.

These facts and figures helped lead to the College's development of its Professional Certificate in Maritime Careers.

"Each one of the many facets of the maritime industry is looking for people to fill positions that are either being created due to expansion, or because of vacancies due to an aging workforce," said Capt. Jeff Bentley, founder/executive director for Coordinated Maritime Services of San Diego. "Learning about the industry is the first step to making educated career choices."

"A certificate such as the one offered by San Diego State's College of Extended Studies clearly prepares people to advance their career in the booming maritime industry," said Michael Bixler, commissioner, Board of Port Commissioners for the Unified Port of San Diego. "A certificate is a very important qualification to help people toward this exciting career opportunity."

The Maritime Studies Certificate can follow two paths: shoreside or oceangoing. The core courses for either path consist of: Introduction to Maritime Careers, Introduction to Marine Engineering, Nautical Terminology, and Regulations and Safety.

Each course is four weeks long, one night a week. Courses may also be taken separately or as part of the certificate.

Shoreside/Waterfront electives include Maritime Security, Engineering II, Vessel Restoration, and Project Management. Oceangoing electives are Deck Seamanship, Navigation II, and Charter Vessel Operations.

Students must take the four core courses and three electives from shoreside or oceangoing areas to complete the certificate program.

Highlights of the program include:

• Going "behind the scenes" to understand the complexities of maritime occupations
• Benefiting from courses for both big and small boat and ship yards
• Protecting and increasing business revenue through a better understanding of maritime issues
• Discussing the critical issues facing the maritime industry today with key experts and hearing their strategies and solutions
• Learning what security, safety, and key business issues are facing the industry, and what steps are being taken to prepare for them
• Engaging in both classroom and off-site location training to maximize learning
• Learning how to build a career, not just a job!

For more information on the Professional Certificate in Maritime Careers program, please call (619) 594-6255 or visit www.NeverStopLearning.net.

SDSU's College of Extended Studies offers a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to web design. Additionally, the College offers over 30 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. To register or for more information, call (619) 594-5152 or log on to www.NeverStopLearning.net.