Building the Blue Economy: SPC Hosts Conference to Shape the Maritime Workforce

Florida’s maritime industry is facing a workforce crisis, and St. Petersburg College is stepping in to bridge the gap.

Industry leaders and educators gathered at SPC’s Collaborative Labs, Sept. 13, 2024, for "Building the Blue," a conference dedicated to evolving the maritime workforce. Participants, including professionals from the St. Pete Innovation District, Tampa Bay Estuary, Tampa Bay Watch and more, worked to identify the technical requirements and career pathways necessary to support Florida's growing blue economy.

“The blue economy spans marine and freshwater environments, encompassing tourism, conservation, economic growth, energy and food production,” said Erica Moulton, Assistant Dean of Natural Sciences at SPC. “Given Florida’s extensive coastline, this sector plays a critical role in the state’s workforce and overall quality of life.”

The event was made possible through a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), signaling a critical federal investment in Florida’s coastal and maritime economic future.

To maximize growth in the sector, the conference aimed to identify key skills required in the blue economy, explore current educational gaps and develop recommendations for curriculum enhancements and credentialing.

Developing High-Tech Talent

Beyond traditional oceanography, there is an urgent and growing need for expertise in high-tech domains such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, ecosystem modeling and database management.

The industry is also facing a crisis in its foundational workforce, said Moulton. A significant shortage of skilled mariners, including ship captains and engineers, is causing widespread delays and cancellations for research and commercial vessel deployments.

The highlight of the event was a keynote address by Edith Widder, a world-renowned deep-sea explorer and founder of the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA). Widder shared her work in bioluminescence and submersible technology, but her message to students was practical.

She outlined the "must-have" technical skills for the future workforce, which include robotic systems, embedded programming, geographic information systems (GIS), sensing technologies, data analysis, pressure-vessel design and marine logistics.

Natavia Middleton, Dean of Natural Sciences at SPC, shared how the College is responding to these needs.

“At SPC, we are already laying the groundwork with robust programs in ecology and molecular biology, but the 'Building the Blue' conference has illuminated a clear next step,” Middleton said. "Providing our students with high-tech crossover skills like AI, GIS and data analytics will help fuel the future workforce for the region’s blue economy."

SPC's experience-based science and technology courses link directly to real-life tasks, making the "blue" career oath visible and accessible.

For a copy of the full meeting notes, contact Erica Moulton at moulton.erica@spcollege.edu.