We all have an individual or two on our social channels that are quick to document their children participating in what is definitively the parent’s favorite past time. And that predictable caption? “Start ’em young.”

If you’re anything like me, you give the photo a “like” and scroll onto the next thing. But slow down for a minute. What if you took that same idea and applied it to your business?

Here’s the question: What would be better than hiring an employee that has been a productive contributor within your dealership since before they could drive? As part of the “Marine Industry Guide to Growing the Workforce,” an industrywide publication addressing workforce issues, Strategy 4: Support initiatives in K-12 Schools offers several ways YOU could get community youth involved in your business and the marine industry:

• Offer your time and/or facilities to support local efforts that align and connect learning with industry-specific work-readiness skills and competencies.
• Join a school industry advisory council to help cultivate those connections and provide connective activities such as an industry tour, guest speaker, job shadow or internship.
• Take on interns and host job shadows to increase career awareness and promote the “pride in product” work ethic
• Invite parents, career counselors and other workforce development professionals to tour your workplace or the local boat show to familiarize them with the industry culture as well as the scope of positions available to their constituency.
• Host an instructor for a week-long Teacher Externship can ensure that in-school subject matter connects to real-world application in the workplace.

Help combat your own workforce challenges by “starting’em young” and by tapping into this valuable resource. Who knows, you may be able to keep’em forever.