High school juniors and seniors across nine Pierce County school districts can now tour the facility where they'll train for port, manufacturing, and technology careers starting this fall.
The new Maritime|253 Skills Center, located at 1225 Maritime Center Drive on the Port of Tacoma's Tideflats campus, holds its first-ever public event Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Families can take self-guided tours, explore industry-grade equipment and learning spaces, meet staff, and connect with education and industry partners, according to a Tacoma Public Schools newsroom announcement.
The center opens for classes in September 2026.
What students get
Maritime|253 offers four career and technical education pathways: advanced maritime manufacturing, port operations and logistics, technology, and sustainability. Students can earn college credit and industry credentials while training on industry-grade equipment.
The skills center serves juniors and seniors from Tacoma Public Schools and eight partner districts: Chief Leschi Schools, Clover Park School District, Fife Public Schools, Franklin Pierce Schools, Orting School District, Sumner-Bonney Lake School District, University Place School District, and Vashon Island School District. Each district holds guaranteed enrollment seats and a superintendent's seat on the Maritime|253 Governing Board.
The campus
The 20-acre Maritime Center site along the Foss Waterway broke ground in January 2025. Before construction, the Port of Tacoma removed approximately 39,000 tons of contaminated soil from previous industrial uses and pulled more than 300 creosote-treated pilings to restore the shoreline, according to the Port of Tacoma.
The campus earned the Washington Public Ports Association's 2026 Environmental Stewardship Award on May 21. Port of Tacoma Executive Director Eric Johnson called the project "a model for ports across Washington" at the ceremony, saying it shows "how we can address legacy contamination and commit to sustainability while advancing a project with vast economic and community benefits."
The Port's own business office on the same campus is expected to open in spring 2027 and will feature 700 solar panels across 22,000 square feet of rooftop.
How to get involved
Tuesday's event is open to enrolled students and families still exploring their options. Families who cannot attend can visit maritime253.tacomaschools.org for enrollment information, a virtual tour, and program details, or call 253-571-4567.
