THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 Page 7 Mass. Marine Trades Association Workforce Solutions Amendment Passes in the 2026/2027 MA State Budget Special to Th e Advocate G overnor Maura Healey recently signed the fi scal year 2027 state budget, which includes $150,000 in funding for workforce development and career technical education initiatives within the recreational boating industry. This funding will continue the initiatives and progress that the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) has made to help meet the workforce challenges within the industry. The funds were introduced via budget amendments sponsored in the Senate by Senator Patrick O’Connor and in the House by Rep. Jessica Giannino, joined in leadership by Senator Paul Feeney and Rep. Steven Xiarhos — the four co-chairs of the 60-plusmember Legislative Boating Caucus. The MMTA would like to express its appreciation to Senators O’Connor and Feeney and Representatives Giannino and Xiarhos for their leadership on this budgetary funding. We would also like to thank the entire Legislative Boating Caucus for its continued support of the recreational boating industry in Massachusetts. We also thank the six members of the 2027 Budget Conference Committee: Chairperson Aaron Michlewitz, Rep. Kip Diggs, Rep. Todd Smola, Chairperson Michael Rodrigues, Senator Joanne Comerford, and Senator Patrick O’Connor. Last, but not least, we thank Governor Healey & Lt. Governor Driscoll for signing the final budget for the state and supporting workforce solutions within our industry. “Massachusetts’ marine industry supports thousands of good jobs and is an essential part of our coastal economy,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This funding will help strengthen the industry by expanding workforce training and career and technical education, preparing more people for good jobs in the marine trades and helping businesses fi nd the skilled workers they need to grow.” “The marine trades offer great careers for people across Massachusetts, and we want more students and workers to see a future for themselves in this industry,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By expanding training and creating stronger pathways into these jobs, we can open doors for more people while supporting an industry that has long been an important part of our coastal communities.” Funding received by the state is utilized to support schools providing training within the recreational boating industry. Whether through existing or new programs, MMTA’s goal is to help the many educational facilities that train future leaders within the recreational boating industry. We recognize the signifi cance of workforce training in the industry and highlight the need for new employees. The MMTA, working with its educational trust, has also created various data points for the industry, including a school overview project and various workforce wage and benefi ts studies, one of which will be updated later in 2026. This information can be found on our primary job/career site: www.massboatingcareers.com, noted MMTA Executive Director Randall Lyons. “Supporting our maritime workforce means supporting the families, businesses, and coastal communities that rely on this industry every day,” said Senator Patrick M. O’Connor (1st Plymouth & Norfolk). “This workforce budget amendment will help expand career technical education and hands-on training opportunities, creating a stronger pipeline of skilled workers for our maritime sector. Investing in the next generation of marine professionals will help preserve the industry that has defi ned our coastlines for generations by addressing workforce shortages and growing our local economy.” Additional funding is utilized to: • Provide fi nancial assistance for employee training. • Provide fi nancial assistance through Tools of the Trade funding. *This program provides gift cards for new or existing employees to help build their toolboxes for their current positions within the industry here in Massachusetts. • Continue marketing outreach and development to connect current and future workers with available jobs, such as through www.massboatingcareers.com and MMTA’s workforce videos. Representative Jessica Giannino (16th Suff olk District) said, “Massachusetts’ recreational boating industry is a vital part of our economy, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in economic activity across the Commonwealth. This investment helps strengthen the workforce pipeline by expanding training opportunities, supporting career and technical education, and connecting more people with rewarding careers in the marine trades. I’m proud to work alongside my colleagues in the Boating Caucus and the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association to ensure this important industry has the workforce it needs to continue growing for years to come.” The recreational boating industry in Massachusetts has an economic impact of approximately $5 billion and employs approximately 18,000 men and women in the state. Here in Massachusetts, there remain hundreds — if not thousands — of unfi lled positions within the industry. We have jobs and careers; we need people to fi ll them. This amendment will go a long way in supporting MMTA’s workforce efforts here in Massachusetts. Established in 1964, the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) is the nonprofit statewide representative body for approximately 1,000 marine trades businesses in the Commonwealth that employ approximately 18,000 men and women. The mission of the Association is to further the interests of the marine trades and the boating public through the promotion of boating, participation in legislation, and professional improvement programs. The 2026 Revere Summer Eats team would like to thank all our families who joined us in the parks and at the schools this summer! We would also like to thank all of our staff, we could not do this without the hardwork of our staff inside the schools and outside in the parks! Enjoy the rest of the summer, see you all next year! This institution is an equal opportunity provider
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