The Massachusetts state budget — approved and signed last week by Gov. Charlie Baker — included $150,000 in funding for workforce development and career technical education initiatives within the recreational boating industry.
The funding will continue the progress made by Massachusetts Marine Trades Association to meet the workforce challenges in the industry, the MMTA said in a statement.
According to the organization, the marine industry is facing workforce shortages in Massachusetts and nationally, with hundreds if not thousands of jobs available in the Bay State.
The funds were introduced via budget amendments sponsored in the House by the four co-chairs of the 60-plus member Legislative Boating Caucus — state Reps. William Straus and Susan Gifford and state Sens. Patrick O’Connor and Joseph Boncore.
The recreational boating industry in Massachusetts has an economic impact of $4.4 billion and employs more than 20,000.
