Like so many industries around the world, technology is transforming the commercial seafood sector at a rapid pace.
From automated systems to real-time data monitoring, precision robotics and advanced processing equipment, innovations that once felt futuristic are now a part of daily operations. These tools are unlocking new levels of efficiency, quality, safety and sustainability. It’s an exciting time for the seafood industry, and the bar for what’s possible keeps rising.
But there’s another part of the story that’s just as important: the people behind the technology.
As the tools and machines powering most manufacturing and production lines evolve, so must the workforce. Many skilled trades employees are eager to grow but haven’t had access to the specialized training needed to operate and maintain these advanced systems. Bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and the people who operate and repair it presents both a challenge and one of the industry’s biggest opportunities.
Trident Seafoods is committed to meeting that opportunity head-on.
Trident and Clover Park: Learning, Leading, and Lifting the Industry Together
In a forward-thinking partnership with Clover Park Technical College in Tacoma, Washington, Trident is investing directly in the advanced education of the company’s skilled trades workforce. Through Clover Park’s Mechatronics program, skilled trades employees at Trident are given the opportunity to attend an intensive 12-week training program focused on the technologies driving the future of the seafood industry. The curriculum covers fluid power systems, automation, robotics and computer programming, giving the company’s skilled trades employees the training and tools needed to find success in the seafood industry’s next era of product innovation and production.
"The relationship with Trident Seafoods is unique right now," said Michael Mavor, Mechatronics program instructor at Clover Park. "But I think it’s fundamentally how colleges and industry partners should be working together. It allows us to make sure everything we teach directly supports the industry."
For Trident employees who have already participated or are currently participating in the program, the experience has been a game-changer.
"Continued education, especially as an electrician, is super important," said Monty Myrtle, Lead Journeyman Electrician at Trident. "Thanks to Trident investing in me, I’ve got a whole new toolbox. It’s knowledge I never would’ve gained otherwise."
In remote locations like Alaska, that kind of training is essential. When parts are hard to come by, being able to fix rather than replace equipment can mean the difference between a quick hiccup and a major operational shutdown.
"One thing these classes help with is fixing things, not just replacing them," Myrtle added. "Working in remote Alaska, that makes a big difference."
What sets the partnership between Clover Park and Trident apart is its real-world approach. Unlike traditional training environments, Clover Park builds its curriculum around scenarios pulled directly from seafood operations.
"The school does a great job recreating real-life scenarios," said Myrtle. "What we learn there translates directly to what we do for Trident."
This hands-on, industry-aligned training model ensures that employees return to work not only with theoretical knowledge, but with practical skills they can apply immediately. According to Claire Korschinowski, Dean of Instruction for Advanced Manufacturing at Clover Park, that’s by design.
“"We want all our students to walk away with the ability to do and perform from day one on the job," said Korschinowski. "We’re putting people into roles that will sustain themselves and our communities."
Making An Impact That Goes Beyond Company Walls
Mechatronics programs like the one at Clover Park don’t just benefit individual companies, they build a stronger, more resilient seafood sector. And in an industry deeply connected to working waterfronts and rural economies in Alaska, that creates a ripple effect that strengthens local economies, supports families and helps build long-term resilience in coastal communities.
By taking a hands-on, job-ready approach, skilled trades employees return to work confident, capable, and equipped to support the evolving needs of the commercial seafood sector from day one. That’s welcome news for a nation that faces a serious skilled-trades gap. The key is training that isn’t just theoretical, it’s practical and immediately applicable.
We want all of our students to walk away with the ability to do and perform day one on the job, added Korschinowski.
Investing in a skilled, empowered workforce helps reduce turnover, create safer workplaces and ensures the sector is ready for whatever’s next. Upskilling through targeted training, cross-functional learning, and continuous education ensures that Trident’s skilled trades workforce can meet the demands of our customers and modern seafood production.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about staying competitive; it’s about building a resilient, future-ready industry. And when your most valuable asset isn’t the machine but the person, investing in your employees and the future of your workforce is a no-brainer.
Visit Trident’s Careers website for more information on a career or skilled trades apprenticeship at Trident.
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