PHOTO COURTESY MMTAGovernor Maura Healey recently signed the 2024/2025 Massachusetts state budget, which includes $150,000 in funding for workforce development and career technical education initiatives in the recreational boating industry. The funding will continue the initiatives and progress that the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association has made to help address workforce challenges within the industry.
“The marine trade industry is an integral part of our workforce and economy here in Massachusetts,” state senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth), said in a statement. “We have been fortunate to provide funding in the FY ’25 budget to support workforce development and education programs that are needed in this historically important industry.”
The funds were introduced via budget amendments sponsored in the state house by representative William Straus of the 10th Bristol District and in the senate by senator Patrick O’Connor of the Plymouth and Norfolk District. It was joined in leadership by representative Susan Gifford and senator Paul Feeney, and the four co-chairs of the 60-plus member legislative boating caucus.
Funding received by the state is used to support schools providing training within the recreational boating industry. The MMTA created a new project overview of the current partner schools that offer training within the industry in and around Massachusetts. The full report can be found by clicking here.
Additional funding is being used to provide financial assistance for employee training and for tools of the trade funding. This includes gift cards to Snap-On Tools for new or existing employees. Some money will also go towards continuing marketing outreach and development to connect current and future workers with available jobs.
According to the statement, the recreational boating industry in Massachusetts has an economic impact of approximately $5 billion and employs just under 20,000 men and women. MMTA says there are still “hundreds — if not thousands — of unfilled positions within the industry.”
