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Program Trains Next Generation Of Maritime Workers

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The port of Baltimore is one of the largest of its kind in the country. Fourteen thousand people owe their livelihoods to coming and going of ships at our docks.

To work at the port you need special training and certification, and that can be hard to get. With the thousands of people working at the port, it's a workforce that is getting older.

But now, within sight of the port in Cherry Hill. The New Era Academy is the only public high school teaching the maritime trades. Cameryn Garrison is a junior at New Era.

"I'm considered as regular crew," she says.

This past summer she worked on the water taxi. And now this summer she's leaving the harbor behind to work on a supply boat in Louisiana.

"I know I got this field, I can do this, or when I go to college I can change, but I know I already have a backup plan already set," she says.

She's one of 40 high school students who will get jobs on or near the water thanks to a program called Youth Works.

"The kids who graduate from this program will immediately be able to go into maritime employment," says Michael Crye.

The money for the program came from Kevin Plank's charity.

"Today we're announcing the $60,000 dollar commitment specifically for 40 New Era academy students to pursue jobs in the maritime industry," says Alicia Wilson with Sagamore Development.

Seaneice Johnson is Cameryn's mom. She's happy that a pathway to a good career is in sight for her daughter.

"I want her to make great decisions, which she is now, and this will be an excellent opportunity for her. I'm a little nervous but I don't want to stand in the way of what she wants to do, I want to make she blossoms into what she wants to be."

That program runs for five weeks during the summer.

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