By Katelyn Kean, Associate Director of Development & Government Relations
What if every young person had a clear pathway into a thriving maritime future—one that connected classroom learning through hands-on experience, marine science with cultural stewardship, and local identity with employment opportunity?
That’s the vision behind Northwest Maritime’s Blue Schools Initiative—a place-based, community-led approach to outreach and education that integrates maritime pathways and collaboration across communities. This work builds upon over 30 years of experience in maritime education and is created to help youth understand the value of their local waters while developing the skills and experiences needed to thrive in maritime and maritime adjacent industries—from vessel operations and marine construction and trades to marine science and aquaculture.
The Blue Schools Initiative is not just about content—it’s about connection. It is about collaborative ecosystems that bridge K–12 education, workforce development, industry knowledge, and environmental stewardship. Blue School Communities are built from the ground up, guided by the region they serve, and tailored to reflect regional identities and local enthusiasm.
This spring, Northwest Maritime will have helped convene two collaborative events that are shaping the future of this community-driven work, maritime education, and workforce development in Washington State: the Blue Schools Whatcom Summit in Bellingham and the upcoming Blue Schools North Olympic Peninsula Summit on May 29 in Port Townsend.
Summits Ask Big Questions:
- How do we build resilient, equitable career pathways?
- How do we ensure environmental stewardship is central to maritime education?
- How do we reach communities historically left out of this work?
These summits are more than meetings—they are movement-makers, bringing together educators, industry, government representatives, tribes, nonprofits, and community leaders to reimagine how we prepare the next generation to steward, engage, and work on our waters.
At their core, these summits aim to build a shared understanding of regional needs, opportunities, and systemic barriers facing youth who may not yet see themselves in maritime.
The Blue Schools Whatcom Summit, held in Bellingham, marked the launch of Blue Schools for Whatcom County. With over 50 stakeholders in the room—from local school districts and key community leaders to maritime businesses and environmental nonprofits—the energy and momentum was clear: solutions are not only possible, they’re already underway. Attendees mapped local assets, explored barriers to student engagement in maritime fields, and co-created next steps to pilot maritime education in classrooms and on the water throughout the county.
Building on that momentum, the Blue Schools North Olympic Peninsula Summit will bring together partners from across East Jefferson and Clallam counties to deepen the work, including representatives from various workforce development groups, tribal partners, education leaders, industry professionals, congressional staffers, and the Washington State Ferries’ own, Steve Nevey. We’ll look at how to expand regional programming, strengthen on-the-water experiences, and align our efforts with long-term workforce needs. It’s an opportunity to share what’s working based on over 30 years of maritime education experience, adapt it to other communities, and commit to shared outcomes that impact the region—especially for those most impacted by barriers to opportunity.
Why Summits Matter:
Because solutions to complex community issues—like workforce development, climate resilience, and educational access—cannot be solved in silos. They demand intersectional thinking. They require us to listen across sectors, align resources, and share ownership.
At Northwest Maritime, we believe that maritime is more than just meeting industry demand; it’s a platform for solving problems, fostering learning, and strengthening community identity. When we create spaces like that of the Blue Schools summits, we’re not just sharing programs—we’re designing systems that can adapt, grow, and serve all of us better.
To learn more about the Blue Schools Initiative and how to get involved, please visit https://nwmaritime.org/learn/blue-schools/