tight lines: lowcountry fishing

Students learn about opportunities in Lowcountry maritime industry

The water that weaves through and flows around the Lowcountry carries jobs and industry, critical components of the local economy.

The maritime industry's tentacles reach far, but they've stopped short of area high schools. Many students have graduated without ever learning about its impact or job opportunities.

One school, West Ashley High, hopes to change that and started a maritime studies course this semester. It's one of the first of its kind locally, and likely in the state and nearby states, school principal Mary Runyon said.

The goal is to educate students about the industry and its employment possibilities, eventually through four elective courses.

"It's going to be something we have to nurture and grow, but it's definitely a viable career opportunity for students," said Runyon. "It's almost a dereliction of duty if we don't do this."

The impetus for the class began with Runyon's curiosity about where the educational gaps were as schools followed the state's Education and Economic Development Act, which requires high schools to offer clusters of courses.

Once she realized the dearth of maritime-related academic courses, her curiosity evolved into a desire for change.

She didn't receive any extra money to offer the course, but she and others, including the school's career counselor Mark Epstein and Navy ROTC instructor Robert Turner, persisted.

The school obtained curriculum from the Maritime Administration of the federal Department of Transportation, and school leaders decided to begin offering the class this year.

This first course will teach students basic information about the industry. In a class recently, Turner lectured students on the need for merchant mariners, their place in history and their importance in today's global economy. The small class has grown to about a dozen students.

Local professionals called the course long overdue and looked forward to supporting it. Many representatives of maritime entities, such as the State Ports Authority, the Navy League, towing companies and longshoremen, serve on an advisory board for the class.

Jim Youker, human resources director for Detyens Shipyard, said his company will serve as a class resource, giving tours, speaking to classes and providing information about its apprenticeship program.

There's an abundance of openings for skilled workers as marine carpenters, shipfitters, electricians and welders, and trained individuals could go to any city with a maritime industry and find a job, he said.

"One of our biggest challenges is getting the young people involved in this industry," he said. "The younger you can get them ... we can start teaching them to be interested."

Other local educators have expressed interest in the program, and representatives from schools, including West Ashley High, will take a trip this summer to learn more about the Naval component of the maritime industry.

West Ashley High senior Darius Lane wants to learn a trade to help him find a job after graduation, and the maritime class has included discussions about various occupations and requirements. He already knew about some job possibilities in the maritime field, but he said he's learning about others.

"It seems like I can benefit from staying in this class," he said.

Source: The Post and Courier

Spirit comes home

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