The Importance Of Education To The Boating Industry
Published: Wednesday, December 25, 2019
The recreational boating industry in Michigan, like many industries, is in need of qualified workers. Dealers and marinas are in urgent need of marine technicians, yard workers, salespeople, and marketing positions, among others. The Michigan Boating Industries Association (MBIA), with our partners, are in the process of creating educational programs for marine technology (expected in Jan. 2020) in secondary and post-secondary programs across the state. Funding for curriculum and scholarships for students is being utilized from the Recreational Boating Industries’ Educational Foundation (RBIEF).
Since 1986, RBIEF has funded students seeking careers in the marine industry, giving more than $380,000 to deserving recipients. This effort is more important now than ever before.
“Education is crucial to creating an efficient and skilled workforce that meets the customer service needs of boaters,” said MBIA Executive Director and RBIEF Board Member Nicki Polan. “Having the talent to fill the positions available is necessary to keep our industry afloat and MBIA and RBIEF are working to make this happen!”
RBIEF scholarships are two-fold, offering:
Industry Education: Funding assistance for MBIA members, employees, family, and students to attend specific marine industry educational programs offered by local, statewide, or national marine organizations such as MBIA’s Recreational Boating Educational Conference, ABYC’s Certification Workshops, NMMA American Boating Congress, etc. Industry education serves to further educate MBIA members, which supports the growth of our industry. For more information, visit www.boatmichigan.org/careers.
College Scholarships: Traditional educational scholarship awards made to MBIA members, employees of members, and family members of members who are enrolled or enrolling in higher education or technical courses and who have an interest in pursuing careers in the marine industry. College Scholarship Applications are due in May and are awarded in June each year. Industry Education Scholarships are awarded year-round. For more information and scholarship applications, visit www.mbia.org/rbief.
Funding for RBIEF is generated through donations and programs through the MBIA. Contributions are tax-deductible and can be made in any amount. To contribute, please send checks to MBIA or to pay by credit card visit www.mbia.org/rbief. Donations can be made in memory of one of RBEIF’s founding members Gregory P. Krueger, Sally Ottenhoff, or former MBIA Chairman Tom Haag.
This article first appeared in the Year End Issue (Nov/Dec) 2019 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: Education, Job Opportunites
