Connecticut Marine Trades Foundation Focuses on Workforce Development

The Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA) is starting new initiatives and expanding existing programs to foster educational and workforce development opportunities in the recreational boating industry in Connecticut. The work will be done under the newly formed CMTA Foundation, a non-profit organization that uses scholarships, program development and training to help fill the skills gap and marine workforce shortage.

“Marine trades are often overlooked as a career, but they do offer full-time, year-round job opportunities, a variety of occupations, certification, degrees and clear lifetime career paths, especially for those in technical or mechanical positions,” said Kathleen Burns, executive director of CMTA.

The CMTA Foundation has already been making progress kicked off by the CMTA Annual Golf Tournament that benefitted the new foundation, and delivery of a $1,500 scholarship by the Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA) to be given for technical training. In addition, CMTA jointly hosted its third annual career day at the Norwalk Boat Show with National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) presenting an informational session for students on opportunities and available jobs in the boating industry.

In addition to its own programs, CMTA is supporting the development of Strategy 10 + 1: A Marine Industry Guide to Growing the Workforce. The strategy was initiated by the NMMA, the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association and MRAA as a tool for trade associations, business and organizations to use to help grow interest in marine careers.

Randy Jennings of Beacon Point Marine is serving as the CMTA Foundation’s Chairman, Shannon McKenzie of the Mystic Seaport Museum is vice chairman, Dave Croker of Crocker’s Boatyard is secretary/treasurer, and other members include Scott Bowden of Port Niantic Marina, Ron Helbig of Noank Village Boatyard and Lynn Oliver of Brewer/Safe Harbor Marinas. CMTA member input is being sought, and the board is undertaking a needs assessment to further develop the concept of the foundation.

As a 501(C)(3) organization, the CMTA Foundation is accepting donations and endowments.