IYRS Designated a Marine Trades Accreditation Program

The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) Foundation has designated Marine Systems at IYRS School of Technology and Trades a Marine Trades Accreditation Program (MTAP). Launched in 2022, the MTAP ensures training is aligned with industry needs, at both secondary and post-secondary schools.  

To achieve MTAP designation, ABYC staff reviews the program application prior to approval by an Accreditation Commission populated by marine industry professionals with stakes in both education and workforce development. Once the application is approved, the ABYC Foundation sends an onsite team to the school to verify application information and to hold interviews with administration, faculty, and students.  

“The onsite review team was impressed with the level of organization displayed by administration, but also with the attention the faculty members gave to their students,” said Sarah Devlin, ABYC accreditation director. “These students start with basic wiring and work their way up to complex systems by the end of the six-month program. We witnessed excellent training at the facility and feel confident the students who graduate from the IYRS program will be assets to the marine industry.”  

The MTAP Accreditation Commission includes:  

• Anne Avary – Skagit Valley College  

• Rob Berenwick – Ocean County Vocational Technical School  
• Holly Ashton Duffy – Safe Harbor Marinas  
• Steven Kitchin – New England Institute of Technology  
• Patty Lawrence – International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition & Conference  
• Aaron Porter – Professional BoatBuilder magazine  

• Nikki Storey – Great Lakes Boat Building School  
• Kenyon Ward – Yamaha Marine  

Accreditation is available to all high school and post-secondary school marine service technology programs that deliver consistent and reliable instruction on industry-acknowledged topics and techniques. Practices, resources, and instructors must all meet ABYC Foundation Accreditation Commission standards. Visit www.teachboats.org to learn more.