Tag Archives: workforce development

The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) Foundation is partnering with the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) to host Student Career Day Thursday, Oct. 5, in Tampa, Florida. The event aims to give over 60 students from Florida marine technical schools a unique glimpse into the boating industry. Confirmed schools include Manatee Technical College, Ft. Myers Technical College, and Suncoast Technical ...

The Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), in collaboration with the Florida Department of Education and Atlantic Technical College, is proud to celebrate the graduates of the Yacht Service Technician Apprenticeship Program. Eight accomplished apprentices have completed the program, which launched in 2020. Each graduate demonstrated exceptional proficiency in various areas of yacht maintenance and service. The Yacht Service ...

Recently, Governor Maura Healey signed the 2024 state budget, which included $150,000 in funding for workforce development and career technical education initiatives within the recreational boating industry. This funding will continue the successful initiatives and progress that the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) has made over the last five-plus years to help meet the workforce challenges within the industry. The funds ...

Yamaha Marine supported the 2023 National SkillsUSA Competition in Atlanta, Ga., June 19-23, through the organization and facilitation of the Marine Service Technology competition segment. In addition to the marine technology events, the national competition, which took place at the Georgia World Congress Center, also featured welding, construction trades, manufacturing, transportation, health care, hospitality, human services and more. SkillsUSA is a national ...

The Outdoor Recreational Roundtable (ORR) recently announced the launch of a new Outdoor Workforce Hub, developed with support from The VF Foundation. The launch follows a year spent gathering perspectives from ORR members, outdoor industry leaders and community partners to help illuminate fulfilling career pathways in the outdoor industry, identify workforce priorities for all outdoor organizations, and support the 4.5 ...

Mercury Racing, the high-performance division of Mercury Marine, has awarded three scholarships intended to support students pursuing a career in skilled trades. “Mercury Racing relies on skilled tradespeople in every aspect of our business, from testing and manufacturing engines, drives and propellers to the installation and maintenance of our products at the network of Mercury Racing authorized dealerships,” said Mercury ...

This week the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) is participating in and judging student Marine Service Technology competitions at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, June 19-23 in Atlanta, Georgia. The annual event serves as a platform to recognize and celebrate the nation’s finest career and technical education students, with over 110 competitions and 10,000 participants in attendance. ...

Sunseeker International recently announced the launch of a new training initiative to address a national skills shortage affecting the marine industry. The Sunseeker Skills Academy, developed in partnership with Bournemouth and Poole College, is open to those seeking a career change, offering individuals the opportunity to undertake a fully-paid, 12-week intensive boat-building course. Successful applicants will learn trade skills across ...

As part of the upcoming International Marine Service Technician Week, scheduled April 24-29, the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) will present the “2023 Outstanding Technician Awards.” Five winners will receive a $100 VISA gift card, technician prize pack with various giveaways, and will be featured on ABYC’s website and social media. Submissions will be accepted through April 14. “We ...

In an effort to support the future workforce and the marine industry, Mercury Racing announced it will offer three scholarship programs: the Excellence in Trade scholarship, the Impact Institute Education scholarship and, new in 2023, the Great Lakes Boat Building School Marine Technician Scholarship. In its fifth year, the Excellence in Trade scholarship is open to high school students based ...