There’s no denying the need for next-generation service specialists, and the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association is a good example of how state and local marine organizations are fully engaged in meeting future needs.
This is not to take anything away from the American Boat & Yacht Council, which is the industry leader in pursuing the needed future workforce, with such efforts as the Marine Trades Accreditation Program. This provides a third-party review of high school and post-secondary marine technology curricula, as well as supplies and instruction to help ensure that the quality and quantity of courses meet the needs of the boating industry.
But marine trade organizations like MMTA are also in an excellent position to successfully pursue workforce development in their respective states. They can actually be more in touch with workforce needs that are relevant in their regions. They can also become a link with schools and training facilities. And they can be strong advocates for state and local grants for marine educational programs.
Randall Lyons, MMTA’s executive director, is quick to cite reasons for making workforce development a priority. “We’re lucky to work within the recreational industry because our customers are happy,” Lyons says. “But they are not happy if they have to wait for their boat to be built, repaired or launched. And if they aren’t happy, they may not continue to be boaters. That loss hits all of us.”
A key part of MMTA’s workforce effort is it’s Massachusetts Marine Trades Educational Trust, a non-profit to attract more young people to marine careers while providing education and training. The trust provides information on careers, schools and training programs, awards scholarships to individuals pursuing careers in the marine trades, and lists available jobs through its website.
In fact, all MTAs can actively support schools with marine programs, and many already do. For MMTA, there are reportedly 10 schools with existing programs being supported with money for projects and tools, filling advisory board positions, attending career fairs, and connecting MMTA members with the schools to offer employment to students.
The Michigan Boating Industries Association declares as untrue the misconception that employment in the marine industry is seasonal. “The Michigan marine industry offers year-round, gainful employment with good paying wages for employees in an industry that is in need of skilled individuals,” MBIA proclaims.
MBIA maintains relationships with schools around the Wolverine State with a particular emphasis on connecting individuals with member businesses. “It’s a priority for us to consistently work with industry partners and economic development offices,” notes Nicki Polan, MBIA executive director. “Two examples of opening marine technician programs include the Great Lakes Boat Building School in Cedarville, and one at Macomb Community College. Both have developed introductory marine technician certifications,” she adds.
In addition, MBIA manages the Recreational Boating Industry Educational Foundation, which awards scholarships to students or people currently in the industry looking for advanced education. MBIA also hosts a careers page with job listings.
Similarly, the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association’s Educational Foundation Scholarships annually awards more than $10,000 in grants to students and employees seeking additional education at recognized programs in the Buckeye State. In addition, the association’s consumer website, On the Water Ohio, promotes job listings from LEMTA members.
The Marine Industry Association of New Jersey’s education initiative is “Work on the Water.” This program offers educational support in the form of a half-scholarship ($10,950) specifically for the Marine Service Technology Program at Automotive Training Center’s Warminster, Pa., campus. In addition, MTANJ annually awards three more $1,500 scholarships for students entering any recreational marine industry vocational, technical or college program.
For MTA’s and marine organizations that want to address workforce issues with schools and training institutions, there’s no need to start from scratch. ABYC makes a long-established Marine Service Technology Program available. It’s a complete curriculum a school can purchase to develop its own programs. Moreover, marine service instructors using this curriculum have access to a host of educational resources and tools to build their own skills and capabilities, as well as the ability to network with fellow instructors throughout the country.
