Need an employee pipeline ?
Hint : Start with the schools
Let ’ s start by ripping off the Band-Aid . The labor force is shrinking . We heard some hard truths this past January at the Business of Boating Conference , put on by the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association . Dr . Rachel Sederberg , an economist at Lightcast , a group that specializes in labor market analytics , stated the number of people available for trades jobs is going to decrease . This decrease is based on lower birth rates , retirement , increases in selfemployment and other factors .
To compound this , according to the National Skills Coalition , 52 % of jobs ( 52 %!) require skills training beyond a high school diploma , but not a four-year degree . But only 43 % of workers have had access to the skills training necessary to fill these jobs . And finally , the National Association of Manufacturers is claiming two million manufacturing jobs will remain unfilled by 2030 .
This is not new and this is not great . In short , it ’ s an employee ’ s market out there . But we have ways to get around this . Start with the schools . While attending conferences and touring training centers and educational facilities , one thing resonates : we need to engage with educators . of jobs require skills training beyond a high school diploma , but not a four-year degree .
Across the board , instructors and administrators say it : “ We want to hear from the industry .” If a school does not provide marine trades training , ask them why and work with your state trade association to help them . Self-promotion alert : if you ’ re talking to schools about Marine Service Technician training , remember that ABYC does offer a full curriculum with a teacher ’ s workbook , a textbook , Powerpoint slides and videos .
If they do provide marine trade training , ask how you can support it . Show them what ’ s happening in the field , tell them what you require from your employees and discuss with them the current tips and tricks of any project in your yard or shop . Here are other ways to engage with schools .
Speak !
Talk to your local instructors and see if they want one of your marine techs to come in and provide a real-world , hands-on lab . Or , see if they want a class about what it ’ s like to actually work in the marine industry .
By Sarah Devlin
ABYC Foundation Accreditation Director
42 march 2023 www . boatingindustry . com