ABYC Expands Outreach to Help Solve Skilled Workforce Needs

Annapolis, MD, July 15, 2016 --(PR.com)-- The ABYC Foundation has been awarded a grant from the Kathy and Jerry Wood Foundation to create the first industry accepted Marine Technology curriculum. This grant will allow the ABYC Foundation to offer the curriculum at a minimal cost to school in need and feed trained students into two year post-secondary marine technical school or directly into the workforce.

The marine industry as a whole is facing a shortage of qualified marine technicians. Ranging from boatyards to manufacturers, the industry is worth over $121 billion to the U.S. economy. With over 34,800 businesses employing close to 500,000 people, the marine sector is in need of a skilled workforce.

Many young people are unaware of the career opportunities that are offered within this exciting industry segment,” said Ed Sherman, ABYC vice president and education director. “This new funding will help us work with our longtime partner NOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute) to develop curriculum that matches the content of our previously published text book, ‘Fundamentals of Marine Service Technology’, with the goal of preparing and attracting the next generation to choose this path as a career, not just a job.”

Exams will be created in two versions, inland and coastal, to meet the desires and requests from teachers and administrators from around the country. Additionally, exams will be available in both English and Spanish language versions.

To learn more about the ABYC Foundation visit www.abycinc.org/foundation

Since 1954, the nonprofit American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) has developed safety standards for boat design, construction, equipage, repair and maintenance. ABYC is the premier global standards organization in the marine industry and a leader in technical education and technician certification.

The mission of the ABYC Foundation is to support ABYC in the development of standards, education, awareness initiatives and special projects that are designed to promote and foster boating safety.