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Earlier this month, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker formally approved the state’s budget with continued funding for the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association’s (MMTA) Workforce Development and Career Technical Education program. MMTA’s workforce program will receive $100,000 in Fiscal Year 2020, a move which drew applause from NMMA.

The MMTA has made strong progress on delivering workforce solutions for Massachusetts’ recreational boating industry. Part of the funding received over the last year has been utilized to support the industry’s workforce related initiatives, including:

• Educational curriculum support and collaboration with three state vocational schools – Upper Cape Tech, Cape Cod Regional Tech, and Greater New Bedford Tech – and the American Boat and Yacht Council. The goal for this partnership is to strengthen not only the schools’ reputation as industry training leaders, but also the skill and training their students receives, making them stronger future employees.
• Boating industry summer job/Coop support for boating industry organizations
• Training funding and tools of the trade funding for both recreational boating industry employees and educational partners. The focus on both funding opportunities is to help strengthen the recruitment and retention for employees and schools within the industry.
• Increased participation and support of various career fairs and training conferences focused on workforce initiatives and introducing more people to all the boating industry has to offer.

For more information, please contact NMMA director of state government affairs, Libby Yranski at [email protected].