Marine Trades Associations Bolster a Thriving Industry

While the job market is not always an easy world to navigate, marine trades associations across the coast work diligently to offer resources and promote a growing industry.

The New England region boasts leading organizations such as the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA), who hosted the 19^th annual Business of Boating Conference (BOB) in Foxboro, MA, this past January. The event featured award ceremonies and sessions on workforce development, Al marketing tips and tools, boating safety updates, employment law, technological advancements within the industry, government relations, legislative issues, and more.

“Finding employees remains a complex issue within the recreational boating industry,” says Randall Lyons, executive director of MMTA. “Starting with regional and state associations and collaborating with national associations remains critical to finding a long-term solution to this issue. This collaboration allows for support and interaction with member businesses, schools, job seekers, employees and more.”

According to a 2024 U.S. Marine Economy Report from NOAA, tourism and recreation landed as the leading job industry along the Atlantic coast with 66% employment rate in the Northeast and 65% in the Mid-Atlantic, while marine construction reported one of the lowest rates at only 1% in both regions. Even though the regions boasted an overall 13-14% increase in marine jobs from prior years, trades associations continue to support the industry by providing resources, scholarship and certification opportunities, and local advocacy.

One of the main sessions of the BOB Conference focused on supporting an increased pipeline of trained individuals within the state and ensuring businesses support MMTA’s partner schools that continue to expand training programs.

“Associations represent businesses, and businesses represent boaters; the more we can do together, the easier this issue will be to resolve,” says Lyons.

RESOURCES OFFER A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY

MMTA’s website offers everything from boating safety resources, products, services, news updates and event info to job postings and announcements. The Massachusetts Marine Trades Educational Trust, MMTA’s non-profit foundation, provides an active job board, scholarship opportunities, schools and training programs, and a detailed Massachusetts Boating Industry 101 document. Lyons says one of the most successful programs has been the “Tools of the Trade” benefit where MMTA provides a gift card for tools to a marine employee in need of building their toolbox.

In Newport, RI, the Rhode Island Marine Trade Association (RIMTA) also champions the local marine industry through education, advocacy and environmental stewardship. RIMTA is working in partnership with the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) to revamp their resources and develop a new marine trades website.

Down on the Chesapeake Bay, organizations such as the Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) also offer resources and support industry advocacy. MTAM’s non-profit based out of Annapolis, MD, is dedicated to growing the recreational boating industry and a sustainable workforce for the trades and preservation of Maryland waters.

The MTAM job board stays up to date with publicly accessible listings, and members are represented on marine trades issues before the Maryland legislature and state and federal agencies. Benefits include access to exclusive discounts, resources and opportunities for hands-on training at the Annapolis School of Seamanship and certifications through the American Boat & Yacht Council.

The benefits of a trade job provide endless resources for certifications, on-the-job training and first-hand workforce development. Take advantage of scholarship programs, networking events and opportunities for lifelong careers.

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THANK YOU FROM MMTA

MMTA, a Marinalife partner, sends a thank you to all attendees and presenters who participated in this year’s BOB conference, as well as a special thanks to the sponsors. Download the full list of sponsors below.