IYRS School of Technology & Trades is starting a leadership program for women working in maritime industries, with the first cohort beginning in 2027.
The Women’s Maritime Leadership Academy runs six months and is the first program from the school’s Maritime Leadership Institute. It’s aimed at emerging and mid-career professionals across boatbuilding and repair, marine technology, composites, shipyards, ports, marine trades, government and related fields.
The program is built around two three-day sessions at IYRS on Newport Harbor — a May intensive on leading yourself and others, and an October leadership summit — with mentoring, peer learning and workplace application in between. Participants finish with a leadership action plan and a mentoring relationship.
“WMLA is designed to help close that talent pipeline gap by investing in women who are ready to grow,” said Kristin Urbach, the institute’s managing director.
IYRS cited a 2024 survey by the International Maritime Organization and the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association finding that women made up just under 19 percent of the maritime workforce sampled, and 16 percent of the private-sector workforce surveyed excluding seafarers.
“IYRS has always been focused on preparing people with the skills industries need, and the Women’s Maritime Leadership Academy extends that commitment from technical education into leadership development,” said IYRS President Kern Maass.
Applications and further details are to be announced.
