The Northwest Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing and Technology is a foundation piece in long-term planning by the college, boat building industries, the Economic Development Council of Skagit County (EDASC), and the Northwest Workforce Development Council (NWDC). The Center will be the hub for innovative discussions and resources, training services to industry through contract training, credit education, and customized training in multiple delivery methods. It will become a regional resource to:

• Train new employees and upgrading incumbent workers, further;
• Develop an emerging industry alliance composed of over thirty companies;
• Support the development of K-12/community college articulation;
• Provide technical assistance, bringing in nationally recognized consultants;
• Create a library of resources and clearinghouse for information and best practices in marine manufacturing and technology;
• Foster continued discussion and movement toward a regional training facility.

The Center will attract and support new business ventures that contribute to the economic health of the region.

• Janicki Industries, Nordic Tugs, Workskiff, Nichols Brothers, Aluminum Charter Boats, Northern Marine Inc.
• Economic Development Association of Skagit County/ Ccommerce Trade and Economic Development (CTED)
• Northwest Workforce Development Council
• Colleges: Skagit Valley College,Grays Harbor, Peninsula, Bellingham Technical College, South Seattle, Edmonds
  

Established Skagit Valley College programs in Marine Technology, Aluminum Welding, Building Construction, Diesel, Safety - all skill-standards based.

Through work with its partners The Center will focus on the following areas:

• Training new employees (contract, credit, customize)
• Upgrading incumbent workers
• Further develop emerging alliance, Support Tech Prep articulations and Career Pathways
• Technical Assistants with nationally recognized consultants
• Library of resources, best practices, innovative discussions, incubator for emergence processes.