the skilled workforce problem
Economic Impact of Recreational Boating and Non-Commercial Fishing
Recreational boating, sailing, cruising, non-commercial fishing and related activities contribute over $2.75 billion in retail sales and over $600 million in payroll supporting greater than 13,000 jobs in more than 400 businesses to Connecticut’s economy (Connecticut Economic Resource Center).  On a national scale, boating, sailing and non-commercial fishing contribute more than $250 billion to the nation’s economy including nearly two million boat building, selling, servicing and marina operations-type jobs which generate over $10 billion in state and federal tax
revenues (Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation).  Recreational anglers spend over $45 billion each year (U.S. Census Bureau), catch more than 450 million lbs of fish annually and retain over 270 million lbs for personal consumption (U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service).

Shortfall in the Supply of Skilled Workers

The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an increased demand for marine engine mechanics of 18.5% by 2010 and similarly rising demand is expected by the Connecticut Maritime Trades Association (CMTA) for all types of marina and boatyard workers.  With an average age between 48 and 58, wholesale retirements from this workforce are expected to accelerate by 2010 as well, compounding an already acute shortage.  The CMTA estimates that more than 100 newly trained workers are needed each year to replace retiring workers or those leaving the industry, a problem made even worse by the lack of an integrated listing of marina, boatyard and marine industry-related jobs.   Further, the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) identifies this worsening trained labor shortage as a nationwide problem with women and minorities particularly under-represented.  Sound Marine Skills seeks to develop a regional education network solution first for Connecticut, then for outreach to the northeastern seaboard states.

the workforce training solution
service
A nationally recognized, comprehensive program of marine trades certification will yield significant economic capacity-building educational and economic impacts driven by the severe skilled labor shortage in the recreational boating service industry.  This program serves to:
  • Benefit the region by placing recent high school graduates and under-employed adults into existing skilled jobs with security and future advancement.
  • Promote commerce through continuing education of skilled incumbent workers.
  • Ease the critical labor shortage in marinas and boatyards along the entire shoreline, along every river system and around every large inland lake in Connecticut.
  • Solve the problem of an inadequate highly skilled labor supply enabling marina and boatyard owners to increase their capacity and better serve more of the boating public, thereby growing their own businesses and the economy.  This, in turn has a beneficial "cascade" effect as marinas hire contractors to build additional service buildings, buy more repair and testing equipment, etc., thereby contributing to economic growth generally.
  • Recruit students from disadvantaged urban as well as suburban populations furthering efforts at school and community desegregation.
  • Serve as a model in vocational and urban education.  This program sets high standards for attendance and achievement.  It also serves as a model for industry/school/state collaboration that can be replicated in other parts of the country.