Career pathway for hydrographic technicians --- the state of mississippi, through the mississippi department of environmental quality (mdeq), was awarded restore act spill impact component funds for…

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council awarded the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality $1.901 million on December 3, 2025, under the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Oil Spill Impact Program (CFDA 87.052) to fund the Career Pathway for Hydrographic Technicians Project.

The project provides hydrographic work-based learning opportunities to high school students in coastal Mississippi using hydrographic survey and unmanned systems technologies. The National Ocean Applications Research Center (NOARC), operating as a sub-recipient under MDEQ, implements the project in collaboration with Pearl River Community College and the Hancock County Career Technical Center. HCCTC introduces hydrographic science curriculum to high school students, while NOARC and industry partners deliver hands-on work-based learning experiences with current hydrographic technologies and direct exposure to potential employers. The project also provides instructor training for high school teachers. The primary objective addresses labor shortages in the hydrographic surveying industry and supports workforce development in autonomous systems along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Period of performance runs through June 30, 2029. Work is performed in Mississippi.

Career pathway for hydrographic technicians --- the state of mississippi, through the mississippi department of environmental quality (mdeq), was awarded restore act spill impact component funds for the career pathway for hydrographic technicians project. Under a subaward with mdeq, the national ocean applications research center (noarc) will implement this project. This project will support workforce training efforts in the gulf coast region by providing hydrographic work-based learning opportunities to high school students using hydrographic survey and unmanned systems technologies in coastal mississippi. Noarc, in collaboration with pearl river community college (prcc), the hancock county career technical center (hcctc), and industry partners, is working to address the shortage of technical labor currently affecting the hydrographic surveying industry. Hcctc will introduce hydrographic science to high school students, while noarc in collaboration with industry partners, will provide work-based learning opportunities that give students hands-on experience with the latest hydrographic science technologies and exposure to potential employers who participate in the project. Training will also be provided for high school instructors. The primary purpose of the project is to provide workforce training that supports the autonomous systems industry along the mississippi gulf coast.