Apr 24, 2023
Pilot Project Brett RamseyBrett Ramsey speaking to students at Athens District High School

A major point of discussion in the marine industry recently is the issue facing the shortage of the younger demographic in professional roles. There’s a strong need for this issue to be addressed but the question is, where to start?

Wendy and Brett Ramsey have been working in the marine industry for years. They’ve both had key roles at Pirate Cove Marina and RBK Distribution.

About a year ago, they started working on an impactful pilot project that has recently launched this spring. The whole idea around this initiative is to bring more young people into the marine industry. “The initiative all started because I wanted to use co-op money to send people to school,” said Wendy Ramsey. “And then I got frustrated.”

When the covid-19 pandemic emerged, the Ramsey’s faced barrier after barrier trying to use their funds to help individuals go to school due to all the restrictions. After facing so much uncertainty, they took matters into their own hands.  

The Ramsey’s are starting this initiative in four Eastern Ontario high schools. Most students this age are unaware of the opportunities that exist in the marine industry and it’s important for them to be informed. In Ontario by grade 10, students require a general idea of what they want to do when they graduate. The grade 11 and 12 courses that they choose have a big impact.

Not only do the Ramsey’s want to address the need for marine technicians, but also the need for service providers, marketing roles, sales personnel and more. “Any way to bring people into the industry, as long as they land in it,” says Brett Ramsey.

Pilot Project Brett Ramsey

The students were able to observe demonstrations from old marine parts that were brought in for the interactive presentation

April 17th was the kickoff to their pilot project. Athens District High School was the first visit where Brett gave an interactive presentation to students from grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. It was fantastic, and they received lots of questions from the older students while the younger students sat and listened to the session.

They brought in some beat up props, a lower unit gear case and a power head. That way the students were able to see demonstrations and do some hands-on learning to observe the working parts and valves moving.

They did a Q&A with the students near the end of the session and learned that some of them are already doing co-op placements in welding, heavy equipment and in the electrical industry. There are also students that are already on their way to an apprenticeship in welding, carpentry, diesel mechanics and large equipment. But there was no mention of anyone pursuing the marine industry.

It’s extremely important to let these students know that co-op is available in the marine sector as well. As the Ramsey’s take this project to more schools, it’s their goal to entice the students about the marine lifestyle and to convert them over to the marine business.

Following the in-school presentations, the next part of the pilot project will be when the boating season kicks off. The Ramsey’s have been working with Boating Ontario to help interested students get involved with marinas, dealerships or other marine businesses nearby. Through field trips, co-ops and employment positions for the upcoming season, they’re working to get students introduced to these businesses in person.

Athens District Highschool“This spring is the just the pilot. It’ll guide us on what do we need to do to refine it, to make it broader, to make it better,” says Brett Ramsey. The goal is to get this project in high schools across all of Ontario within the next school year starting in September.

The second part and more long-term aspect to this initiative, is to incorporate a Level 1 Marine Technician course in different areas. Making the Level 1 course more accessible to individuals across the province and country is very important so that it’s not limited to one location.  

The Ramsey’s have been working closely with the Ministry of Labour and marine companies such as Mercury and Yamaha to help develop the next stage of this project.

We will be closely following this initiative and will provide updates as the project progresses.

You can read more about Wendy’s career path HERE and Brett’s career path HERE.

  • Prev
Earlier this spring, Wendy and Brett Ramsey kicked off a pilot project in Eastern Ontario high ...
You can have your say on the proposed changes to the Small Vessel Regulations. The proposed changes ...
The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC), a non-profit organization dedicated to developing ...
C.C. Marine Distributors has announced their 2023 Marine Trade Show dates. The 2023 Show will be ...
The 2023 Skills Ontario Competition was held at the Toronto Congress Centre May 1 – 2. The ...
With the Employer of Choice designation, your business will better attract top talent and you will ...
The National Yacht Club is one of Canada’s oldest institutions on Toronto’s waterfront dating back ...
NMMA recently announced the appointment of Marie-France MacKinnon as Executive Director for NMMA ...
Thanks to their growing team, this year Quadrant Marine has been able to do more community outreach ...
A major point of discussion in the marine industry recently is the issue facing the shortage of the ...

Marine Industry Career Path: Brett Ramsey

Wendy and Brett Ramsey

Wendy and Brett Ramsey

Boating Industry Canada is kicking off its Marine Industry Career Path series once again. For the first installments this year, we have two subjects to highlight. Introducing Wendy and Brett Ramsey!

The Ramsey’s have been working in the marine industry for many years but have both had unique paths in getting to where they are now. They’ve also been working on an impactful pilot project for a long time, which will now be launching this spring. The focus of this initiative is to bring more young people into the marine industry.


Read More


 

Changing Scene

  • Prev
Back in April we wrote about North American Safe Boating Awareness Week that will take place across ...
When you have an emergency on the water, how do you get help? For National Safe Boating Week, May ...
Sirius Signal, the leader in marine safety innovations, has announced that the float plan used in ...
Dutch yacht builder Vanquish Yachts – well known for its custom craftsmanship yachts has partnered ...
On September 2, 2022, the Kirkfield Lift Lock site was closed due to a mechanical failure. Since ...
Boating Ontario informs us that the MRAA and ABYC have worked to create a certification test for ...
The opening of the 2023 American Boating Congress (ABC) in Washington, DC featured a small boat ...
Groupe Beneteau is announcing that it has entered exclusive negotiations with Trigano, a European ...
High school students from Collingwood and Bradford came to the Georgian College Midland Campus on ...
John Morris, Editor of Canadian Yachting OnBoard and Sailing in Canada News Digests, was honored in ...

Boating Industry Canada News Week

 

Every Tuesday we publish a fresh Digest with informative articles pertaining to the Canadian boating and marine industry. Stay up to date with the latest products, research and industry developments.

Missed an Issue of Boating Industry Canada News Week? If you're looking for a specific issue, or simply want to catch up on previous issues, check out our Boating Industry Canada News Week Archives.

Not signed up for News Week? Subscribe here

 

 

 

 

 

Launchings

  • Prev
Sea Ray is continuing the evolution of its premium SLX Series with the official launch of the SLX ...
Four Winns is excited to announce its recent achievement, receiving the 2023 Multihull of the Year ...
Center console craft for fishing, families, and watersports are the most popular type of boats in ...
Building on its award-winning M Series, Bayliner unveiled the all-new M19 at the Miami ...
Dream Yacht Worldwide, one of the world’s leading sea vacation companies, and Fountaine Pajot, ...
In 2023, Wellcraft will push the limits further with the launch of its next Performance Cruiser – ...
Jeanneau expands its DB Yachts line with a second model: the new DB/37, available in inboard and ...
On January 4, 2023, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Brunswick Corporation ...
Vision Marine and Beneteau will jointly market the ground-breaking Four Winns H2e to Beneteau’s ...
Four Winns continues to be committed to a comfortable and instinctive experience on the water and ...
 

Bayliner M19Building on its award-winning M Series, Bayliner unveiled the all-new M19 at the Miami International Boat Show. The M19 joins the M Series lineup of the M15 and M17 delivering the stability and versatility the series is known for with a focus on expanding boater participation through its intuitive design, ease of maintenance and inclusive price point.  

With an overall length of 19 feet and starting at $30,995 USD, the M19 is built on an improved M-hull foundation offering increased stability and automotive style handling for familiarity to appeal to the next generation of boaters. The M19 features an upgraded nine-person capacity and is watersports capable for a full day of adventure on the water.  

Read More


 

 

Glomex TV

Televisions on a boat are increasingly commonplace. With the simple-to-install Glomex Avior VT300 Omnidirectional TV/FM antenna from GA Communications, it's never been easier to bring analog and digital broadcasts onboard—at a price that's hard to ignore.

The most noticeable feature of the Avior VT300 antenna is its compact white, anti-yellowing radome. At only 4" dia. x 8" H and 8.8 oz., it's specifically made for smaller boats that can't accommodate large TV antenna domes and only need short range reception, depending on height and conditions. The amplifier allows the antenna to have an increase in gain with a 24.5 dB average to receive vertical and horizontal polarized TV signals simultaneously from 360°. 

Read More


 

People

  • Prev
It is with profound sorrow that Furuno USA announces the passing of long-time employee and friend, ...
Making boating safety education more accessible by bringing courses online, growing the ...
Pace Industries, North America’s leading full-service aluminum, zinc and magnesium die casting ...
It is with heavy hearts that the family sadly announce the passing of Alfred “Alf” Mortimer (the ...
After 34 years at UK Sailmakers, General Manager Adam Loory is about to retire to do, what else, ...
At the recently held Boating BC AGM, four new board members were elected for a two-year term:
Under the direction of Sean Fawcett, President, the Landing School in Arundel, Maine is ...
The ABYC Foundation has recognized Kevin McKiernan, a marine service technology teacher from North ...
CORK/ Sail Kingston Inc is a highly motivated organization with a challenging mission – to host ...
Dave Mayhew, President of The Boat Warehouse is pleased to announce that Andy Lindsay  joined ...

Airmar hires Suzanne Hawley as Brand Manager

Susanne Hawley

The Leader in Ultrasonic Technology and Multi-sensor Solutions Continues to Grow in Talent and Innovation. AIRMAR® Technology Corporation, a world leader in ultrasonic transducers and Chirp technology, has named Suzanne Hawley as the Brand Manager for the company’s wholly owned distributor, Gemeco Marine Electronics Specialists, located in Lake City, SC.

Hawley comes to Airmar with extensive marketing and PR experience in the marine electronics industry including 20 years as the owner of Hawley Communications, a consulting agency focused on creative marketing solutions for businesses in the recreational boating industry.

Read More