By Paul Hubbard, Maritime Academy Chairman of the Board
Guest Column
In two separate visits to tour Maritime Academy Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and Ohio State Representative Elgin Rogers experienced operating a Laker Cargo Container ship on the simulator at the Academy.
Maritime has one of the few ship simulators in the country. The mayor spoke to the students about their future goals. The students replied that their goals were opening a boarding school, plumber, social media influencer, Army human resource officer and graphic designer, among other goals.
The mayor told the students that the businesses he is recruiting to Toledo for economic development need skilled hands-on employees. The jobs would not require a college degree but skills. The mayor discussed the difference in learning knowledge in college but not learning a skill that will lead to a job. He told the students about learning a skill that will lead to a job.
The mayor also discussed the operations of City of Toledo’s government.
He told the story of the Edmond Fitzgerald Ship that sunk in Lake Superior in November 1975. Twenty-nine crew members died. The Edmond Fitgerald was a Toledo laker ship carrying iron ore and that the crew who died were from Toledo.
Aaron Lusk, the Maritime superintendent, indicated one of his problems is finding experienced certified teachers. However Maritime Academy and Lourdes University have formed a partnership to train and certify the teachers who need to be certified. Lusk went on to mention that Maritime will reestablish its welding program and scuba diving class. Culinary arts are also available at the Academy.
Rep. Rogers mentioned during his visit that all school kids deserve a quality education no matter who they are or what school they go to. There were two student guides who showed him the Academy. Rogers also spoke to the students about their future goals. He was so impressed with the two students guides that he found them part time employment without them asking.