PADUCAH — More than 200 local high school students had the opportunity Thursday to learn more about the maritime, or river, industry and what it would take to start a career in the field.
We Work Waterways, a national educational outreach program that introduces job-seekers to the industry, held a job fair at West Kentucky Community and Technical College for junior and senior students from six high schools in west Kentucky.
Crounse Corporation taught students how to build a bumper during the We Work Waters program.
The event consisted of three locations where students could learn about job opportunities in the river industry and try hands-on activities. Local maritime industry companies participated to demonstrate various skills students would learn if they entered the industry.
At WKCTC’s Emerging Technology Center, students heard a presentation about the maritime industry and experienced on-the-job demonstrations.
Students then went to Ingram Barge Co., where they toured a tow boat and met the crew, learning about various job opportunities they could pursue.
High school students learned about the radar system used in the river industry at WKCTC's Marine Way Training Center.
Finally the students visited WKCTC’s Marine Way Training Center, where they saw various demonstrations and had hands-on experience with river industry skills.
“They get some radar training. We have a PPE safety demo. Crounse Corporation is doing bumper building. So, lots of different hands-on things throughout the day,” said Errin Howard, director of the We Work Waterways program.
Students were taught how to throw line by Tennessee Valley Towing.
Andrew Gates, a senior port captain with Hines Furlong Line, showed students the necessity of safety equipment by dropping a small anchor on a watermelon without a hard hat, which busted the watermelon.
“That’s one of the most important things in our industry, is safety for our people,” Gates said.
"Paducah is considered the hub of the inland waterways, so there's a lot of companies that have headquarters or operation centers here," said Andrew Gates, a senior port captain.
He said throughout the We Work Waterways program, companies like Hines Furlong Line are recruiting high school students and showing them the prominence of the river industry in Paducah.
"Paducah is considered the hub of the inland waterways, so there's a lot of companies that have headquarters or operation centers here," Gates explained. “I think if we can create some excitement around that and get people interested and involved … we can get them to come and be employees.”
Matthew Robinson, left), and AW Southern, right, are seniors at Paducah Tilghman High School who are interested in going into the river industry.
AW Southern is a senior at Paducah Tilghman High School whose family works in the river industry. He said he is interested in pursuing a career in the river industry with whichever company gives him the best opportunity.
“The opportunities are very, very there,” Southern said. “It’s a very nice career, set you up very well.”
Matthew Robinson is also a senior at Paducah Tilghman High School who is interested in joining the river industry. He said the opportunity for growth within the industry attracts him to the field.
“They showed us that it's something you can make a career out of and grow a life from, so I can definitely see myself doing that," Robinson said.
Students had an up-close look at a welding demonstration during the event.
The We Work Waterways program has hosted events in Paducah for three years, and Howard said it has grown each time.
"Each year, we get more and more of the industry to participate," she said. "Not only do we expose them to the opportunities, but we work with them a little bit on soft skills, and we want to let students know that our industry is an industry that cares about them as individuals."
