The Maritime Trades Program is a cooperative training program that was established through the joint efforts of 14 shipyards in the Tidewater area of Virginia. Established in 1980, the program originally operated under the guidelines imposed by the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA). Now, however, the program operates in accordance with Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) rules and regulations. The 12-week program, which involves 4 hours of classroom instruction and 4 hours of hands-on training daily for 5 days each week, operates at a cost of $2,160 per student and serves 30 students per session. The program, which is designed to train entry-level employees for the participating shipyards, provides training in the following trade areas: sandblasting, painting, welding, shiplifting, pipefitting, machining, electrical work, and fiberglass handling. The program has succeeded in achieving and maintaining a 95 percent placement rate for program completers. (MN)