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MA MARINE TRADES RECEIVES JOBS IN BOATING GRANT

The Massachusetts Marine Trades Educational Trust (MMTET) is proud to announce that the Massachusetts recreational marine trades are the recipient of a $585,000 State Workforce Competitive Trust Fund Grant. 

Commonwealth Corporation, a division of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce development, featured the 'Jobs in Boating' grant award June 7 at a ceremony at Massasoit Community College (MCC) in Brockton, MA. The Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF) is a program designed to assist 'critical and emerging' industries in the Commonwealth to meet their workforce needs, including the solution to workforce issues in these industries. The recreational marine trades in MA have long suffered from a shortage of skilled workers, particularly technicians to build, 'prep', maintain, and service boats and marine engines.  In addition, the WCTF was established by the State Legislature to enable a broad range of residents, including the aged, at-risk youth, under-skilled persons and under-served minorities to acquire education and skills necessary to move toward economic self-sufficiency through jobs and career opportunities.

Partners in the 'Jobs in Boating' grant include MMTET, the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association, Massasoit Community College, Bristol Community College and My-Turn, Inc. The Partners envision the establishment of a Center of Excellence for recreational marine trades' education, training and workforce development with headquarters at the Professional Development Center, Massasoit Community College, Canton, MA. The proposal was given key support from Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray (Plymouth) and Legislative Boating Caucus Chairman Anthony Verga (Gloucester).  Both the Senator and the Representative recognize the pressing need for additional skilled employees in the Massachusetts recreational boating industry.  A recent public/private study revealed that the majority of open positions in the marine industry are year round, full time and often pay wages higher than comparable industries.  Qualified marine technicians are the most difficult positions to fill in the industry and the survey indicated that respondents are seeking to hire an average of 1.5 technicians per business in MA.  A copy of the workforce study/survey is available at www.uhi.umb.edu/publications.htm.
 
The Center of Excellence at MCC will be staffed full-time with a program coordinator to conduct outreach to potential marine studies candidates who may otherwise miss the chance to enter a field full of tremendous career opportunity following high school graduation or changes in employment status or life circumstances.  The program coordinator will also be charged with establishing programs to educate and train candidates while enhancing existing programs.  Currently both Massasoit CC and Bristol CC offer marine studies programs as does the Benjamin Franklin Institute in Boston.  MMTET and its partners are also assisting with efforts to establish similar programs at North Shore and Western MA colleges. 

Additionally, as educational standards at secondary vocational schools become more rigorous and entrance more competitive, MMTET is working with several high school administrators throughout the state seeking to establish marine studies programs.  Lack of funding is the most common hurdle to the availability of marine technical training, with Marblehead High School intent on establishing a marine studies program but for the financial restraints it must resolve in order to hire an instructor. 

When establishing the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund the Massachusetts Legislature defined "travel and tourism" as a "critical" industry.  The Massachusetts recreational boating industry contributes nearly $2 billion annually to the Commonwealth's economy.  A recent national study revealed that the direct and indirect spending generated by a single marina is often unrealized and under-appreciated.  It has been documented that Charlestown's Constitution Marina alone contributes $6 million annually to Commonwealth coffers.  Additionally, it provides 30 direct and indirect jobs through its members and guests spending at local retail outlets and restaurants and entertainment establishments. A copy of the economic impact study is available at www.prr.msu.edu/rmrc/boatresearch.asp.

"The WCTF award is the culmination of many years of effort by the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association, Massachusetts Marine Trades Educational Trust, Massasoit Community College and our Workforce Boards, recently joined by Bristol Community College and MY-TURN, Inc. as well as key marine industry employer partners - 3A Marine Service of Hingham, A to Z Boatworks of Scituate, Burr Brothers Boats of Marion, C & E Distribution of Holbrook, Foster Rigging and Yacht Maintenance of Scituate, Marina Bay of Quincy, Mattapoisett Boatyard, Russo Marine of Medford and SeaCrest Marine Services of Quincy.  Each member of the partnership has contributed to making the Center of Excellence for the Recreational Marine Trades a reality and insuring its ultimate success.  Prior to and throughout the grant writing process each partner committed time and resources to providing education, training and workforce development for the marine industry.  The results will include filling the many job vacancies, particularly skilled technicians, training future trainers, establishing awareness of the marine industry and the many opportunities it holds, and setting up marine technical programs throughout the Commonwealth.  In short, this grant will alter recreational marine workforce development in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts forever," stated Ed Lofgren, MMTET Trustee and MMTA Director.

MMTET is a non-profit foundation that funds efforts to accomplish the educational goals of the Massachusetts marine trades. Current MMTET initiatives include the awarding of scholarships and tool grants to deserving individuals pursuing a career in the marine trades, training expense reimbursement grants for incumbent workers and assistance with the establishment and continuance of marine technology programs at the high school and college level throughout the Commonwealth. 

For More Information on MMTA/MMTET Education Mission, Click Here

MMTA SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED THROUGH JUNE 2007

Each year through its Education Committee, MMTA awards professional development scholarships and tool grants to MMTA member employers.  Through June 2007 the following MMTA member firms were awarded grants or scholarships through the program. 

Allen Harbor Marine Service of Harwichport for multiple employee participation at IMBC Conference

Barnstable Marine Service of Barnstable for an employee Tool Grant

Cape Yachts of Harwich Port for employee participation in Robalo Training & Yamaha Training

Commodore Uniform of Harwichport for multiple employee participation at NES Expo

Marblehead Trading Company of Marblehead for an employee Tool Grant

Three A Marine Service of Hingham for multiple employee participation in Johnson/Evinrude School

Many thanks to MMTA Director and Program Administrator, Ridge White of Robert White Instruments, and to the Education Committee members for their time spent reviewing and processing scholarship and grant applications. 

To Request A Scholarship/Tool Grant Application, Click Here:

APPLY FOR WORKFORCE TRAINING FUNDS

Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund has a number of programs to assist in funding employee training.  Most of the programs are matching" programs, requiring the employer to pay matching funds. 

They now have an "Express Program" that makes it EASY to apply. Funding for Workforce Training Grants Comes from YOU:  Grants are funded by a surcharge on Unemployment taxes. Claim what's YOURS!  The Workforce Training Fund is financed entirely by Massachusetts employers. Its purpose is to provide resources to Massachusetts businesses and workers to train current and newly hired employees.

Guidelines for all Workforce Training Fund Programs:

All trainees must be employed in Massachusetts. Trainees cannot be government employees. The business or labor organization applying for a grant must pay into the Workforce Training Fund and must be current with its unemployment insurance payments. A certified copy of a certificate in good standing from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue must be provided by a WTF grant awardee prior to the receipt of grant funds. Additional information about certification can be found at Massachusetts Department of Revenue's website. All Workforce Training Fund Grant Recipients are considered contractors of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As such, per Executive Order 481 signed by Governor Patrick on March 15, 2007, contractors will not use grant funds to train undocumented workers and will submit a contractor's certification form as part of their contract.

For More Information on MA Workforce Training Fund, Click Here

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For More Information on MA Workforce Training Fund, Click Here

MARINE DEALER CERTIFICATION

YEAR ONE BY THE NUMBERS
 

365 = Number of Days Dealership Certification Program Up and Running

450 = Dealerships Enrolled in the Marine Industry Dealership Certification program

225 = Marine Industry Certified Dealerships

15 =   Dealerships that have become recertified

23 =   Manufacturer brands offering financial support to their dealers who complete program

1,000,00 = Consumers who visited DiscoverBoating website in 2006

225 = Marine Industry Certified Dealerships Identified At DiscoverBoating website

13,000 = Sales leads from DiscoverBoating website generated and distributed to 225 Certified Dealers

For more information on Marine Dealer Certification, Click Here

2007 DEALER CERTIFICATION LAUNCH WORKSHOP DATES

SOUTHEAST - Orlando, FL – Tuesday, August 14

MIDSOUTH - Nashville, TN – Tuesday, September 18

MIDWEST - Chicago, IL – Thursday, October 25

WESTERN - Las Vegas, NV – Wednesday, October 31

NORTHEAST - Atlantic City, NJ – Tuesday, November 13

Every dealership must attend a Launch Workshop the initial year of certification. At least two attendees per dealership are required.  WORKSHOPS MUST BE SCHEDULED A MINIMUM OF 14 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT to allow time for pre-workshop employee satisfaction surveys.

For more information on Marine Dealer Certification, Click Here

ABBRA 2007 TRAINING AT NEW ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

The American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (ABBRA) is accepting enrollment for its courses held at the New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) in Warwick, Rhode Island. 

ABBRA and New England Institute of Technology have a 10-year relationship providing critical training to the boat building and repairing industry. ABBRA, founded in 1943, serves to strengthen and to encourage the professionalism of the marine service industry through the sharing of knowledge and the search for solutions to common problems. Since 1940, NEIT has been committed developing technical programs that prepare graduates for leadership positions in the industrial community.  For more information, please visit ABBRA's web site or call 401–247–0318. To register, call NEIT at 1–800–736–7744, ext. 3458

ABBRA's 2007 SCHEDULE AT NEIT:

Gasoline EFI, July 17–19 (New Course Offering!)

Basic Diesel Engine Training Technician Certification, October 1–2

Advanced Diesel Technician Training, October 3–5

Composite Certification–Introduction, October 1–2

Composite Certification–Advanced, October 3–5

Click Here For ABBRA's web site

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

August 11, 2007
National Marina Day
www.marinaassociation.org/nmd 

Thursday, September 6th 2007   ! Save The Date !
MMTA General Meeting & Social 
Location TBD

Friday, September 28th 2007     ! Save The Date ! 
MMTA Annual Meeting Breakfast
Seaport World Trade Center
In Conjunction With the 8th Annual Boston International In Water Boat Show

September 19, 2007
Marine Straddlelift & Forklift Training
Burr Brothers Boats, Marion MA
http://www.abbra.org/training_meot.rml 

Tuesday, January 29th 2008     ! Save The Date !
MMTA 3rd Annual
Professional Development Conference   
Location To Be Determined

An All New MA Marine Trades Administrative Calendar May Be Accessed By Clicking Here

MMTA LINKS OF INTEREST

2007 MA Shrinkwrap Recycling Program: http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/index.html
Boater Information Pipeline Signup:http://www.boatma.com/boatersenewssignupform.html
MA Marine Industry Careers: http://www.boatma.com/education.html
Advertise @ BoatMA.com: http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/banneradinfo.html
Link to Archived ENews: http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/archivednl.html
CZM Marina Workshop Presentations: http://www.boatma.com/czmworkshops/presentations

Navigation & Boating Safety

Massachusetts Tides: www.boatma.com/tides/index.html
MA Boater Safety & Education: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle/boatrvsafe.htm
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators: www.nasbla.org
US Coast Guard NavCenter Notice To Mariners: www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm
US Coast Guard 1st District Boston: www.uscg.mil/d1
US National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration: www.noaa.gov
US NOAA Charts: www.chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov

Government & Regulatory

MA Coastal Zone Management: www.mass.gov/czm
MA Department of Environmental Protection: www.mass.gov/dep
MA Find Your Elected Representatives: www.wheredoivotema.com
MA Legislation: www.mass.gov/legis
MA Office of Fishing & Boating Access: www.mass.gov/dfwele/pab
MA Office of Technical Assistance: www.mass.gov/envir/ota
MA Official Website of the Commonwealth of MA: www.mass.gov
MA Workforce Development: www.mass.gov/dwd
US EPA-Region 1: www.epa.gov/region1
US Occupational Safety & Health Administration: www.osha.gov

New England Sales & Titling

MA Department of Revenue: www.mass.gov/dor
MA Boat Registration & Titling: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle
ME Boat Registration: www.maine.gov/ifw/rv/boatlaws.htm
NH Boat Registration: www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/ss/marinepatrol
RI Boat Registration: www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bpoladm/manserv/hfb
VT Boat Registration: aot.state.vt.us/dmv/REGISTRATION/Motorboats/MOTORBOATS.htm
USCG Vessel Documentation Center: www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/nvdc.htm

Marine Industry Links

ABBRA: American Boat Builders & Repairer's Assn: www.abbra.org
ABYC: American Boat & Yacht Council: www.abycinc.org
AMI: Association of Marina Industries: www.marinaassociation.org
AMTECH: Association of Marine Technicians: www.am-tech.org
Discover Boating: www.discoverboating.com
Grow Boating – Rising Tide Campaign: www.growboating.org
MRAA: Marine Retailers Association of America: www.mraa.com
NMMA: National Marine Manufacturer's Association: www.nmma.org

MEMBERS ONLY CONTENT: Click Here