Certification and Certificate Programs

About the Program

The purpose of the Tacoma Tideflats Certification Program is to build a “pipeline” for Tacoma students to fill entry-level employment positions with the network of businesses and industries associated with commerce generated through the Port of Tacoma.

The program delivery model spans 6-weeks, and allows high school students to attain industry recognized certifications through preparatory training in three career pathways with opportunities for livable-wage, in-demand employment: 1) Transportation, Automated Warehousing and Logistics, 2) Merchant Marine, and 3) Environmental Services.

Entry-level Certifications

Merchant Marine

Moving trade goods across international waters on commercial vessels is the function of the Merchant Marines. Merchant Mariners serve on teams to safely navigate and operate sophisticated propulsion systems. United States Merchant Mariner Credentials are accredited and registered through the United States Coast Guard for Merchant Marines serving on commercial vessels with home ports documented in the United States.

Transportation, Automated Warehousing and Logistics

The moving, shipping and receiving of goods is the catalyst of the maritime industry and strategically positions Tacoma as a regional distribution center for trading partners of Pacific Rim countries. Trade goods are imported and exported through Tacoma’s shipping terminals via rail and trucking connecting customers to businesses across North America with the rest of the world.

Environmental Services

Planning for industrial activities and impacts adjacent to sensitive natural areas is integrated into job responsibilities of industries charged with meeting the increasing demands of a growing human population. People locate in the northwest to access viable employment opportunities and to live in a beautiful natural environment. Responsive development is the essence for managing resources for high quality living conditions.​​​

Certifications & Credentials

• Warehouse Forklift Operator
• Flagger
• OSHA 10
• Merchant Marine Credential
• Basic Safety Training
• Transportation Worker ID Card (TWIC)
• Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)
• 1 Occupational Education Credit towards Graduation

Applications are open year-round, but first consideration will be given to those who apply BEFORE May 19th

Student Application​​​​​

Medical Consent Form​​​​

Location

Henry Foss High School
and Lincoln High School for Forklift/OSHA 10

Dates

• Anticipated Summer of 2020
• Complete Schedule from the previous year: Tideflats CTE schedule 2019.pdf

Activities:

• Port of Tacoma Tour
• US Coast Guard Portfolios
• HAZMAT Security Training
• HAZWOPER Training
• Port of Seattle Tour
• Transportation, Automated Warehousing and Logistics Fieldtrip 
• Merchant Marine + Basic Safety Training
• Flagger Certification
• Basic Firefighting
• OSHA 10
• Forklift/Crane Certification
• Intro to Diesel Engines 
• Completion Celebration

The Wildland Fire Certification Program's initiative is to prepare Tacoma's students for a succeeding future as a Type 2 Wildland Firefighter at the standard set by National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). 

The Wildland Fire Certification Program serves to prepare high school students for the career pathway in the industry of wildland fire suppression. This program consists of 4 basic Firefighter courses required by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and provides training and information required by NWCG for agencies subscribing to the National Interagency Management System (NIMS).

This 75-hour instruction provides the basic training and information necessary to become qualified as a Type 2 Wildland Firefighter. Students who successfully complete the coursework and pass the physical fitness test earn "red card" certification required to work on forest fires or to participate in prescribed fires. The coursework will provide knowledge and theory behind basic firefighting skills of the Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS) organization, terminology, and common responsibilities; and includes standard firefighting orders, watch-out situations, human factors on the fire line, suppression tactics, incident response, basic fire behavior, emergency situations, risk management, and fire weather.  

Certificates

• Incident Qualification Card (Red Card)
• S-211: Portable Pumps and Water Use 
• S-212: Wildland Fire Chainsaws 
• S-130: Firefighter Training
• S-190: Introduction to Wildland Fires
• I-100: Intro to the Incident Command System
• .5 High School Vocational Credit

Taking applications for Winter/Spring of 2020

• Student Application​​​​​
• Program Brochure​​​​​

Location

Foss IB World School, room 224A 

Dates

Anticipated Winter/Spring of 2020 Completion Celebration

About the Program

The purpose of  the Plumbers & Pipefitters Summer Learning is to build a “pipeline” for Tacoma students pursuing entry into an apprenticeship, post high school graduation.

The program delivery model is for 9 rising Tacoma senior high school students to attain industry recognized certification through preparatory training of in-demand high-wage careers. Students will learn welding, soldering, brazing, rigging, tube bending, and more with hands-on activities and projects to prepare them for their interview with Local 26-SWWPT.  

Career Paths:

• Plumber
• Service Technician 
• Welder
• Pipefitter
• Steamfitter

• 0.5 high school credit
• OSHA 10 Certification
• Certificate of Completion from Southwest Washington Pipe Trades

​Applications are open year-round, but first consideration will be given to those who apply BEFORE May 19th

Location

OSHA 10 Training Lincoln HS Weld Shop

Anticipated Summer of 2020

Plumbing & Pipefitting Training

Local 26 Educational Development Trust 8501 Zenith Ct NE Lacey, WA 98516

Anticipated Summer of 2020

Student's earn FAA 107 certification to fly drones commercially in the ever changing landscape of unmanned aircraft - starting in the fall of 2019. 

Through a partnership with Tacoma’s Environmental Services Department, students get certified in soil erosion (CESCL), collection sampling, OSHA, and HAZWOPER to name a few.

Where can I get certified

• Tacoma Tideflats Summer Program (Free).  Click HERE for more information.
• Clover Park Technical College ($195 fee).

Job Description​

Forklift operators move heavy materials from one point to another at a job site. They might work in a warehouse moving pallets of material, or they might have a job moving building supplies on a construction site. In some instances, the forklift operator may operate other powered industrial trucks, such as a scissor lift truck. This entry-level position gives the employee the skills to move into other, higher-paid jobs as a material-moving machine operator.

Forklift Operator Statistics

• 3-4% annual job growth through 2024.
• 1862 forklift jobs in Indeed with a 25 mile radius of Tacoma as of 4/25/19.  Click HERE to view.
• According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a forklift driver is $32,145.
• Many forklift operators advance to operating cranes with an average salary of $46.230.

• Baker Middle School 

Job Description

A Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a professional who has completed a series of certification exams to demonstrate high proficiency in Microsoft's Office software suite. Individuals who work in positions where Office programs are used frequently, such as administrative assisting or data entry, benefit from MOS certification. Certification examination is available for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook. No formal education is required; MOS certification is available at the specialist, expert and master level. 

(study.com, 2019)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

• 3% job growth through 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (this number is vague since it is a skill that can be used in a variety of industries and roles).
• Currently, 553 MOS jobs are listed on Indeed as of 4/25/19.  Click HERE to view current jobs.
• The average salary of a Microsoft Office Specialist that uses Office is $28,040 and $62,261 for those who support Office and provide training according to salaryexpert.com.
• Microsoft Office Specialist is typically used as a starting point to other careers in business, data related fields, and other technology jobs.

• • Tacoma Tideflats Summer Program (this will not fully certify you, but get you started on the Merchant Marine Credential, however, Tacoma Tideflats also offers other certifications during the program).  Click HERE for more information. 
  • Seattle Maritime Academy. Click HERE for more  information.

Job Description​

As the job title so aptly suggests, Merchant Mariners work on ships to bring freight shipments across various waters. They should not be confused with military based Marines. Merchant Mariners operate on non-military, or commercial vessels. They travel from port to port, either to foreign countries across the world’s oceans or along the U.S. coastline. Alternatively, they may even sail across inland bodies of water such as the Great Lakes or along the many rivers that cross the United States.
(Careertrend.com, 2019)

Merchant Marine Statistics

• 8% job growth through 2026 according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
• Currently, 177 Merchant Marine jobs are listed on Indeed as of 4/25/19.  Click HERE to view current jobs.
• in 2017, the average salary of a Merchant Marine is $55,000 (US Bureau of Labor and Statistics).
• Many Merchant Marines advance to engineers with an average salary of $73,000.