UCS students partner with boating industry to explore marine technician careers

A group of Utica Community Schools Career and Technical Education students have entered new waters to explore a career as a marine technician.

In the first of its kind experience, students in the Career and Technical Education program spent two days visiting local marine companies to learn more about an important industry critical to the Great Lakes Region.

“This experience has definitely changed my mind,” said Henry Ford II senior Russell Strickland. “I like working on cars and this is really something unique. Every boat is different and this was a great opportunity to learn what is out there.”

The experience was part of a partnership between Utica Community Schools, Michigan Boating Industries Association, and Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales and Colony Marine in St. Clair Shores.

“Providing them with the opportunity to see firsthand what a day in the life of a technician looks like is incredibly impactful,” said Kelly Kerchoff, Workforce Development Director for Michigan Boating Industries Association. “There is no better way for students to determine if the industry is the right fit for them than through meaningful, hands-on experience.”

Nick Skalsky, a CTE teacher at Henry Ford II, said students were motivated by what they experienced.

“The students really liked the flexibility of the job – not every day is the same, Skalsky said. “They also saw the comradery and the family-type environment of the people who worked there.”

There is no better place to be a marine technician than Michigan, which is home to the Great Lakes and 835,000 registered boats.

There is also an industry need. Annually, there are 135 job openings for technicians.

“The marine trades offer stable, high-demand employment opportunities with mechanics and technicians as the top projected growth,” Kerchoff said. “There is a misconception that this is seasonal. Not true. These are year-round, full-time, well-paying jobs.”

The students visited the Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales, Colony Marine and the annual Detroit boat show. The students will return to the marinas in April to see first-hand how technicians launch the boats for the season.

It is an experience that excites Paul VanderDonck, Sales Manager at Colony Marine.

“The students will really enjoy the outdoor side of the business,” he said.

Source: Utica Community Schools

Http://www.uticak12.org

Superintendent Robert S. Monroe