Harvester

As seen on TV.

education requirements

HS/GED

expected salary range

$20K to $100k

training area

Jobs: STATEWIDE

“Seafood harvester” is a technical way to say “commercial fisherman.” From Deckhand to Mechanic to Captain, jobs are all onboard, from small skiffs with two people to big ships with 100 or more crew members. Duties range from attaching nets to sorting fish to repairing engines. It’s a lot of work with a lot of adventure. This is a great career with great income for dependable people. Bring a jacket.

Here’s what you need:

  • High School Diploma or GED required
  • Industry training and certification, business management certificate or degree, and/or entrepreneurship training recommended

Here’s where you get it:

Course/Program Provider/Location Degree Length
Introduction to Marine Refrigerated Seawater Systems Alaska Sea Grant MAP/UAF Bristol Bay Campus – Dillingham/King Salmon No 2 days
USCG Drill Conductor Course Statewide – in person No 10 hours
Alaska FishBiz Alaska Sea Grant MAP – Statewide No Varies
Homer Marine Trades Assocation Homer No Varies
Maritime Program UAA Kodiak College Various Varies
Introduction to Diesel Engine Maintenance and Repair Alaska Sea Grant MAP/UAF Bristol Bay Campus – Dillingham No Varies
AK Young Fishermen’s Summit Alaska Sea Grant MAP – Anchorage and Juneau Certificate 3 days
The Business of Fishing UAF Bristol Bay Campus/Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation – Dillingham/King Salmon No 1 day
Vessel System Overview UAA Kodiak College Certificate 12 hours
Introduction to Outboard Repair and Maintenance Alaska Sea Grant MAP/UAF Bristol Bay Campus – Dillingham/King Salmon No 2 days
DC Electrical for Vessels UAA Kodiak College Certificate 12 hours
Troubleshooting Gauges UAA Kodiak College Certificate 4 hours
Gill Net Construction UAA Kodiak College Certificate 48 hours
Web Mending UAA Kodiak College in person Certificate 6 hours
Refrigerated Sea Water RSW UAA Kodiak College Certificate 14 hours
Marine Electric/Boat Owners UAS Ketchikan Campus Certificate 5 days
Diesel Engines Simplified UAS Ketchikan Campus Certificate 45 hours
Basic Hydraulics UAS Ketchikan Campus Certificate 45 hours
Basic Refrigeration UAS Ketchikan Campus Certificate 15 hours
Net Mending and Splicing UAA/KPC Kachemak Bay Campus – Homer Certificate 3 hours
Outboard Repair and Maintenance UAS Ketchikan Certificate 15 hours
Introduction to Marine Hydraulics Alaska Sea Grant MAP/UAF Bristol Bay Campus – Dillingham No 1 day
Introduction to Starting and Operating a Seafood Direct Marketing Business Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program No 5 days
Crew Training Class Alaska Sea Grant MAP Certificate 1 day

AMEC is a 2021 Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE).

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