Promoting careers in the marine industry and offering educational scholarships are examples of the wide range of programs and services offered by our state and local marine trades associations. Both initiatives are reason enough for dealers to join and support these important associations.

In Florida, the Marine Industries Association of Southwest Florida & Tampa Bay just completed awarding training scholarships totaling $17,000. The awards are offered to immediate family members of employees in any association-member dealership or firm.

Specifically, MIASWF Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors or to students currently enrolled in a college or post-secondary trade or vocational school, such as the Lee County Vocational Training Center.

In the last 5 years, MIASWF has awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships. Two of the scholarships are named and awarded in memory of two of the association’s most respected members, Capt. Ed Hanson and Tom Nichols. Primary funding comes from the association’s three boats shows: the Fort Myers Boat Show, the Charlotte County Boat Show and the Bonita Springs Boat Show.

Meanwhile, in Seattle, it was Career Fair, conducted by the Northwest Marine Trade Association during the Seattle Boat Show, which wrapped up on Feb. 10.

More than 30 NMTA member businesses participated in this year’s event. It provided an opportunity for companies to talk face-to-face with more than 200 students and promote job openings at their businesses to job seekers.

The NMTA Career Fair is conducted in conjunction with Core Plus, an industry-validated curriculum that successfully connects teachers, schools and students with local employers. Core Plus provides students with hands-on learning and transferable skills that lead to good-paying career paths.

“We were very pleased with the Career Fair this year,” said Katie Malik of Gig Harbor Boat Works. “We got a lot of qualified candidates who we will be following up with. It was especially pleasing to see Core Plus bringing entry level candidates who are ready to work.”

All Career Fair attendees also received free admission to the Seattle Boat Show where they could explore the show, talk to exhibitors and learn more about the recreational boating business and employment opportunities.