• Marine Trades Association of Maryland established new, vital workforce program at Annapolis Power Boat Show

By MRAA Government Relations Team

Developed through a grant from the city of Annapolis, the Marine Trades Association of Maryland announced the launch of a marine tech apprenticeship program at the recent Annapolis Powerboat Show. The apprentice program will provide comprehensive on-the-job training, classroom instruction and a direct pathway to a rewarding, high-paying career in the recreational boating industry.

“The maritime industry has long been a part of Maryland’s economy as well as its heritage. This apprenticeship program is a critical investment in the future of our workforce and our local marine industry,” John Stefancik, MTAM’s executive director said in a statement. “By providing a structured pathway for training and professional development, we are not only building a pipeline of highly skilled technicians but also creating meaningful career opportunities for residents across Maryland. We thank the City of Annapolis for their support in launching this program and look forward to their continued support in executing this initiative.”

Annapolis Maritime Heritage

The City of Annapolis has been a big supporter of the program. It awarded a grant to MTAM, which provided the resources needed to pursue state approval. Because of this, multiple city officials joined MTAM at the Annapolis Powerboat Show for the announcement. They commented on how vital the industry is to the economy and heritage of Annapolis.

“This new program showcases that Annapolis is not just going to rest on its laurels as ‘the sailing capital’ but look to innovate and lead in the maritime industry. We look forward to working with enthusiastic partners as we develop and grow this program to create skilled jobs right in the city,” said Brooks Schandelmeier, an Annapolis Alderman who joined the announcement of the apprenticeship.

Marine Tech Apprenticeship Program Highlights:

• Structured Training: A year-long program combining practical, hands-on experience with technical classroom instruction
• Experienced Mentorship: Apprentices paired with seasoned marine technicians who will provide guidance and support throughout the training process
• Industry-Recognized Certification: Graduates gain industry-recognized credentials that equip them for long-term careers.
• Earn While You Learn: Apprentices receive a paid wage, making education and career advancement accessible without incurring debt

Applications are now being accepted for apprenticeships. For more information, contact: Emily Decker, MTAM Workforce Development Coordinator at edecker@mtam.org.

Vital for Marine Industry Health

The program is addresses the workforce needs of the recreational boating industry in Maryland. Moreover, skilled marine technicians are in high demand across the region and the industry as a whole. Therefore, programs like this vital for the health of the industry. Actually, in response to the workforce needs of the industry, many marine trade associations at the state and national level have taken efforts to fill the industry’s talent gap. Specifically, this includes participating in career fairs, collaboration with local community colleges, apprenticeship programs and national efforts to create more program funding.

“Workforce is an issue around the country for our industry and every effort to address workforce helps the industry as a whole meet the workforce needs of dealers, manufacturers and other small businesses when it comes to finding talented technicians who are ready to start a career in recreational boating,” said Mike Sayre, MRAA Director of Government Relations. “We applaud the work of the Marine Trades Association of Maryland in starting this apprenticeship program in the historic maritime community of Annapolis. We hope that this paves the way for more apprenticeships throughout the state.”

Workforce Development

The Investing in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, signed into law in July as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill, is a key national effort to strengthen the marine industry workforce. The MRAA supported this legislation. It expanded the eligible uses of tax-advantaged 529 savings accounts to cover costs associated with workforce training and credentialing programs. Previously, these savings accounts were limited to traditional higher education. However, under the new law they can serve as career savings tools that support not only initial education or certification, but also career advancement and mid-career transitions. Notably, this flexibility will benefit the recreational marine industry by providing the current and incoming workforce with more opportunities to pursue specific training and certifications for positioned in need.

“State marine trade associations are on the front lines of the workforce issue,” added Sayre. “They have come up with innovative approaches to address the needs in their state. The MRAA is proud to support those efforts and help others bring similar successes to their own state.”

Additionally, we will provide updates as the MRAA and our state marine trade partners push forward workforce development efforts in the marine industry. Please reach out to the MRAA Government Relations Team here if you have a question about Maryland’s program. Furthermore, to be connected with the local marine trade association in your state, email:

• Mike Sayre, Sayre@mraa.com
• Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager, chad@mraa.com.