July 16, 2018

At the June 6^th Boating Ontario Golf Tournament, Rick Layzell CEO of Boating Ontario announced a new initiative called the MarineWorx Development Fund.

Layzell went on to explain that through the process of creating their new strategic plan, they came to realize the need for training in multiple aspects of our business – development of dealership sales professionals, certifications for marina managers and opportunities to evolve parts writers and service advisors and of course, the greatest challenge continues to be the lack of qualified technicians.

The MarineWorx Development Fund has been designed to take on these challenges.

MarineWorx will tackle all workforce development aspects of our business. Boating Ontario will allocate funds each year to support the segments of the business that the members identify as needing support.

He explained that the challenge Georgian College students face when looking at getting marine tech training through the Midland Campus, is their housing costs while they are taking classes. This is restricting for young people whose homes are 100 KM or more from the campus. Enrollment from the Ottawa Valley, south western Ontario, the Kawarthas and even from the Muskokas, is cost challenge. The fact is that it’s at least $500 to rent a room in a townhouse in Midland. In addition to tuition, food and transportation, that’s a pretty daunting figure for young people just getting started in our industry when they are looking at an 8-month program.

For 2018, thanks to support generated at the June 6^th Boating Ontario Golf Tournament, Layzell was very pleased to announce that the association will be providing a minimum of 5 x $2,000 transportation and / or accommodation bursaries for students taking the 8 month, MTME marine technicians program beginning in September. 

He emphasized that making it happen is simple – any Boating Ontario member can refer a student, even if they are not working for you yet. Send a quick email to Duane McKay at Boating Ontario with the students’ name and contact information, before August 1^st, and Boating Ontario will take it from there.

As these bursaries are designed to assist with transportation and accommodation expenses the students do have to live more than 100km from the Midland campus.

The association will be looking to Corporate sponsorship and there will be opportunities available in the coming days for their industry partners to support the MarineWorx program.

The MarineWorx Development Fund is here to help the Ontario boating community’s workforce development needs wherever the needs are highest. We really hope the members get behind this great new initiative.

For more information on the MarineWorx Development go to www.boatingontario.ca or click here