EVERETT, Wash. — Antonio Williams-Strong showed off his knot tying skills along the Everett waterfront on Friday.
The square knots, slip knots and hitch knot were samong the many things he learned in the first graduating class from Everett's new Maritime Institute.
"We learned about things like engine familiarization, and I'm not too much of a mechanical dude. I can fix sandwiches," chuckled Antonio.
Antonio got laid off from his job at Boeing during the pandemic. Since then he's been working 16-hour shifts for DoorDash to feed his family of four.
"It's been hard," he said. "A couple of times I had to lean on state assistance and humble myself."
The institute trains people for careers on the water — from deck crews and engine room workers to mechanics and radar technicians. Students can get certified in 25 different fields. Its four-week "boot camp" program provides students with the basic training they need to get ahead of the competition when applying for maritime jobs.
"They want someone to come into their organization who is trained to a point that they can continue to train them in their way of business," said boot camp director Ronald McMiller.
"When I applied other places, I applied for jobs," said Antonio. "When I apply here I'm starting a career. That's a big difference for me and the safety and security of my family."
The institute is providing a bit relief to western Washington waters as a stubborn worker shortage continues slowing shipments and stalling ferries across Puget Sound.
America's maritime industry is down 1,800 workers with more vacancies expected as the workforce retires. The new graduates are now well prepared to fill those positions.
"Coming here opened a door to a whole new world," said Antonio.
According to the Washington Maritime Association, the industry supports 170,000 jobs, and brings in $46 billion in revenue, annually.
The institute is affording Antonio an opportunity to chart a new course in providing for his family.
"Now I don't have to feel like I'm working a paycheck to paycheck job," he says. "Now the sky is the limit."