When you hear the words ‘Apprenticeships’ or ‘Job Shadowing’, do questions about liability come to mind? What if liability was covered by a third party and businesses could teach youth to learn skills ‘on the job’ with confidence? Such early experience can lead to higher education or careers in the Marine Trades.

The question often comes up about how we, as businesses in a skills based industry, can better engage interested youth who may wish to pursue careers in the maritime trades, either locally or abroad. Many businesses need additional crew or are thinking about who will run their business come retirement time. How can we participate in exposing local school students to careers in the marine sector?

The PTMTA is currently asking members to offer feedback, express interest, and/or ask questions related to the idea of connecting marine trades businesses to programs for youth through the NWMC and others who might also reach out to the PTMTA . The focus on local youth as building a potential legacy plan for sustaining our industry and the living wage jobs we offer is a concept worth advocating for. If you would consider opening your shop space to periodic tours for middle and high school students, and/or job shadow and apprentice training for youth who have expressed an interest, please write to our PTMARINETRADES@ GMAIL.COM