Maine Maritime Academy hires alumnus to develop offshore industry program

Posted March 9, 2015

Last modified March 9, 2015

Maine Maritime Academy has hired Michael Young of Ellsworth, a 1977 MMA graduate and previous instructor at the college to develop courses and programs to prepare students for jobs in offshore industries. The industries encompass oil and gas exploration, sub-sea engineering, dynamic positioning, floating production and storage offshore and supply vessel operations.

Currently, the academy offers one offshore technology course, originally developed by Young, which is the only course offered by a state maritime academy. The subject matter covers origin and supply of oil, and all aspects of highly technical offshore drilling industries.

"We will develop the program according to the needs for training and certification that offshore industries require," said Young. “We are looking to build on what students are learning in the introductory course; add new courses, such as dynamic positioning and rig safety management; and broaden training and hands-on education opportunities as well."

Young's career has qualified him to lead the charge on this new development for the college. Most recently, he worked for Seadrill as a rig manager for several different deepwater units, and at Transocean Offshore as a lead mechanical engineer assigned to the Discoverer Clear Leader project. Young is returning to MMA as a member of the faculty for the third time; he has held posts as associate professor in the Department of Engineering for more than 12 years over two separate timespans. During one of those, he was the chief engineer on the Training Ship State of Maine. He will teach the offshore technology course he established, and assist in fundraising for the new programs in development. "Approximately 50 percent of our graduates go into offshore industries when they graduate from Maine Maritime Academy," said Tim Leach, director of career services. "These industries are highly specialized, so our graduates need the unique education and skills necessary to compete in the job market." 

The new offshore program will serve both degree-seeking and continuing education students. Maine Maritime Academy is a co-educational, public college on the coast of Maine offering 18 degree programs in engineering, management, science, and transportation. The college serves approximately 950 undergraduate and graduate students in career-oriented programs of study. Maine Maritime Academy was ranked the #1 Best Public College on Money magazine’s Best Colleges list released in August 2014. The college's retention and graduation rates are well above national averages, and the job placement rate is in excess of 90 percent within 90 days of graduation. For more information, visit mainemaritime.edu.