Tacoma superintendent highlights Maritime Skills Center, expanded workforce and partnership programs

Dr. Joshua Garcia, superintendent of Tacoma Public Schools, told the Around the Block podcast that the district is moving to connect students directly to local jobs through new facilities and coordinated partnerships.

"We are we're approximately 28,000 kids," Garcia said, describing a district that spans more than 50 schools. He emphasized the district's role in neighborhood life and its responsibility, he said, to prepare students for both higher education and local employment.

Garcia outlined a new Maritime Skills Center — referred to on the program as "Maritime 2 5 3" — which he said will serve South Sound school districts and is scheduled to open in 2026. "We actually piloted our first maritime skill center classes in the summer of this year," he said, and added that the center represents a partnership with the port that will provide industry-recognized, stackable credentials for students hoping to enter maritime and related fields.

The superintendent listed several district initiatives that grew from Tacoma's earlier status as a state "zone of innovation," including a school of industrial design and engineering, a Next Move internship program, a jobs 2 5 3 stipend/co-teaching program for high school students, and dual-language elementary programs. He said the district had signed an agreement with LeMay to build a regional robotics center.

Garcia described the district's "grow your own" strategies for recruiting educators and building local career pathways. He said high school students co-teach after-school programs called "beyond the bell," receive stipends and high school credit under jobs 2 5 3, and some earn priority enrollment in teacher-preparation through a partnership with Pacific Lutheran University.

On access to rigorous coursework, Garcia said Tacoma Public Schools "pays for all of our high school kids to take as many AP and IB classes as they want and, pay for the tests," presenting the policy as one way the district expands college-readiness for students regardless of family resources.

Garcia also highlighted hands-on short-term training such as spring-break "forklift camps," vocational classes in pipefitting and welding, and paid job experiences that he said help keep families in the community by providing local employment pathways. He told real estate professionals the district's investments in facilities and neighborhood partnerships — parks on campus, shared assets and arts installations — help stabilize and enhance neighborhoods.

The superintendent urged realtors and community members to use district and school websites for current information and to visit schools and partner sites in person. "You are a trusted voice that really makes a difference," he said, asking real estate professionals to learn about the district and to share accurate information.

The episode closed with Garcia thanking realtors for their support of public education. The interview was conducted on the Around the Block podcast hosted by Jasmine Jefferson and was presented with sponsorship from Sterling Inspection Group.