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STAR Center TECH Program Achieves Significant milestones as Emily Blake and Isaiah Moore earn USCG 3AE/OICEW endorsement

STAR Center’s TECH Program achieved significant milestones in recent months as Ms. Emily Blake and Mr. Isaiah Moore earned their USCG 3AE/OICEW endorsements as the first female and first person of color apprentices to complete the program and begin their sailing career with American Maritime Officers. The Engineering Candidate Hawsepipe (TECH) Program is a comprehensive 2-year training program sponsored by AMO Plans for candidates who want to pursue seagoing careers with American Maritime Officers. The TECH program has been highlighted with STAR Center being recognized by MARAD and receiving 2021 Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE) designation.

Emily Blake

Following an extensive application and evaluation process, Ms. Blake and Mr. Moore were each selected for the TECH Program based upon their overall merit in relation to other candidates. Their unique experience and background showed they had the attitude, aptitude and work ethic to succeed as a seagoing AMO marine engineer and contribute to the overall goals of the TECH program. While in the program they were each recognized individually for their technical knowledge and abilities during sea phases as an apprentice engineer in training onboard our AMO contracted company vessels.

When asked about how the education and training received in the program prepared them for a career as a seagoing marine engineer with AMO they each had a unique perspective. Emily noted, “The TECH program emphasized hands-on experience, which is how I learn best. The curriculum focused on skills and knowledge that I would need on the job. I was able to apprentice on a variety of ships, learning the systems and operations of several companies in the fleet, and gaining perspective of the positions I was being trained to fill. The full mission simulator was an excellent way to practice emergency or unlikely scenarios in a controlled environment, and it was great practice being on watch and in control of the entire plant. Many of the instructors were either still working in the industry or recently retired, so they had current information and relatable stories”. Isaiah also noted, “The Tech program has provided me with not only the skills to be a good engineer, but it has helped me better myself as an individual. The program provided me much needed hands on training along with theory to help me understand the topics and machinery I was learning about. I also feel that the instructors who take time out of their lives to help us become engineers provided us with a wealth of valuable insight and experience. Both in engineering as well as leadership.”

In completing the program and earning USCG 3AE OICEW endorsements through the TECH Program, STAR Center recognizes their significant achievement and is proud to support and promote diversity and inclusion in the maritime workforce. Commenting on this Mr. Moore continued, “For potential candidates looking to apply, it is always motivating and welcoming to see diversity in a program like this. While I’m honored to be the first, I would have enjoyed knowing others of a similar complexion had also made it through the program. I hope that as the first person of color to complete the program I am able to help STAR Center pave the way in welcoming a more diverse group of individuals into the industry. “ Ms. Blake also noted, “It feels surreal to be able to say I am the ‘first female’ in anything. I grew up reading about and am grateful for all of the amazing women who faced adversity to pave the way for my generation. The fact is that there are still many firsts for women, especially in this industry. I am extremely proud to be able to fulfill this role, and hope that as my career continues, and women become a norm in this industry, there are less and less ‘firsts’”.

Regarding future and long-term career plans, they each plan on a long career with AMO. Emily added “My career is just now beginning. What I like the most about this industry is getting to read, almost on a daily basis, about how we as an industry and union are expanding and how the possibilities for us as engineers are changing and growing. Recent events have taught me that it is impossible to predict what tomorrow will bring, but I do know that I am excited for a long and varied career as an engineer with AMO”. Regarding his future plans Mr. Moore said, “My long term career plans are to sail with AMO with the goal of retiring as a Chief Engineer with a successful career behind me. I would also like to return to STAR Center to teach the next generations of the TECH Program if the opportunity arises”.

Isaiah Moore

Each has recently joined their first AMO ships under covered employment. Emily Blake is pictured here onboard the Pohang Express in her new position as 3rd AE and Mr. Moore is now onboard the M/T California as 3rd AE.