Six New Schools Adopt ABYC Curriculum Package

Since April 2019, six new schools have enrolled in the American Boat & Yacht Council’s (ABYC) “Marine Service Technology” curriculum package. There are now 16 schools around the country using ABYC’s curriculum.

The new schools in the program include: Palm Beach State College; Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational-Technical High School; Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School; Cecil College; Cape Cod Regional Technical High School; and Jones Technical Institute.

“Our partnership with ABYC is key to the success of Palm Beach State College’s new Marine Service Technology program,” Eligio Marquez Jr., Palm Beach State College, transportation technology program director, said. “By integrating ABYC’s industry standards-based curriculum with our Florida state framework, we’ll be able to offer the best possible program to our students, the future marine technicians Palm Beach County greatly needs.”

ABYC’s program was built to help schools easily implement a standards-based marine service curriculum, with inland or coastal test options. Participating schools receive a textbook, instructor guides, PowerPoint presentations, online demonstration videos, test/quiz samples and more.

A nationally recognized competency certificate is available for those who complete the program and pass an exam administered by the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI).

“We are thrilled that schools from all over the country are expressing interest and hope that more and more young people will be inspired to pursue a rewarding career in the marine industry,” ABYC Education Director Ed Sherman said. “This should be good news to all concerned about the workforce crisis as schools are better prepared to train future applicants.”

Additionally, ABYC is hosting its first “Educator Training Conference” July 23 to 25 in Annapolis, Maryland. This event will feature specific topics to enhance the knowledge, delivery and support of marine tech instructors across the country. Attendees will include educators, school administrators who are teaching or interested in teaching a marine technology course, and institutions considering a marine program. To learn more about ABYC’s Marine Service Technology Program, visit www.abycinc.org/marineservice. To learn more about the Educator Training Conference, visit www.abycinc.org/etc.