Working Waters: How SIIA and SHAGARA Are Building Staten Island's Future Waterfront Workforce

America's waterfront economy is entering a new era of investment. Ports, maritime transportation, offshore energy, logistics, shipbuilding, and industrial infrastructure are expanding across the country. Yet one challenge continues to rise above the rest. Finding and preparing enough local talent to support this growth.

That is the mission behind Working Waters, a community workforce initiative presented by the Staten Island Industrial Alliance (SIIA) and SHAGARA during Staten Island's City of Water Day. The program brings together residents, students, families, employers, educators, workforce organizations, and community leaders to introduce career pathways connected to the region's growing waterfront economy. Rather than simply promoting jobs, Working Waters creates meaningful connections between people, industries, and opportunity while strengthening the relationship between infrastructure investment and community prosperity.

The initiative reflects a growing reality across the infrastructure sector. Long term project success depends as much on local workforce readiness and community engagement as it does on engineering excellence and capital investment. Organizations that invest early in local talent strengthen public trust, reduce workforce shortages, and create lasting economic value for the communities where projects are built.

Working Waters also demonstrates how community events can become strategic workforce development platforms. Employers meet future employees. Training providers connect with prospective students. Young people discover careers they may never have considered. Families gain a clearer understanding of the industries that power Staten Island's economy and create pathways to long term prosperity.

As billions of dollars continue flowing into America's ports, waterfronts, and industrial corridors, communities that intentionally prepare their workforce will be best positioned to attract future investment. Working Waters offers a practical model that can be replicated in waterfront communities across the nation.

Join the Movement

Whether you are an employer, educator, workforce organization, nonprofit, government agency, sponsor, or resident, Working Waters offers an opportunity to help shape the future of Staten Island's waterfront economy. Attend the event, become a sponsor, host an outreach table, or partner with SIIA and SHAGARA to expand career pathways for the next generation. Together, we can build a stronger workforce, stronger businesses, and a stronger waterfront community.

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Tenicka Chaney serves on the Board of Directors of the Staten Island Industrial Alliance (SIIA) and is Managing Director of Sports and Infrastructure at LocalContent.com.