Tag Archives: Workforce

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

By Adrienne HurstABYC Marketing Coordinator Before we are able to make waves in the marine trades, most women start out in the kiddie pool – and that includes me. Here, I am honored to profile female students and recent graduates of ABYC Accredited or Affiliated Marine Service programs. Most of these women have changed careers from positions as crew members, ...

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 ...

According to a new study conducted by Envision Greater Fond du Lac, Mercury Marine, headquartered in Fond du Lac, has a $5.4 billion annual economic impact on the local Fond du Lac community – an increase of almost 10% from just three years ago. The study shows that Mercury continues to be one of the top employers in the state of Wisconsin, ...

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 ...

By Margaret Podlich Thousands of polite, pulled-together, 16-22 year olds descended on Atlanta during a sweltering week in June. They hailed from high schools, post-secondary technical schools, and community colleges from around the country. All students were required to dress appropriately for their trade, so some were in white double-breasted chef coats, others in pressed Carhartt khaki top and bottom ...

By Matt Edmundson We all know of the skills gap, but is it different for us in the marine industry? What trade other than a marine technician must have such a versatile skill set to be successful? How do we find and train new techs? Compared to similar industries such as automotive or aerospace, the marine industry has historically not ...

By Jamie Stafford It seems that this has been the decade of novel challenges. Supply chain shortages continue to plague the global economy as we all grow weary of new strains of Covid-19. Unfortunately, supply chain issues are not the only shortages on hand. The marine industry is no stranger to workforce insufficiency, but now more than ever, this critical ...