Industry-Wide Needs Analysis
In order to determine true labor market demand-and-supply needs within the marine industry, the Marine Industry Training & Education Council (MITEC) has launched an industry-wide needs analysis campaign.
Ed Sherman, MITEC Professional Development Division Director, said, “Our goal is to obtain at least 1,000 responses to give us the quantity of data we seek, both in terms of training requirements and workforce development needs.
Once the analysis is completed, anyone working in the marine industry will have access to the information which will be published on the MITEC website (www.boatingcareerinfo.org). This information will benefit marine associations, trade organizations, manufacturers, dealers, yards, groups or individuals applying for both national or state grants, and others who are working to develop marine-training programs.
Steve Kitchin, MITEC Chair and Vice President, Corporate Education and Training at New England Institute of Technology explained that, “Whether an organization applies for workforce development funds, economic development funds, or any type of grant, the very first thing the funding agency will want to see – is a viable need supported by empirical data. Our survey results will clearly demonstrate what the marine industry’s needs.”
Sherman added, “Educational institutions and individuals who are developing marine-training programs will also benefit from this information. For example, a school that is establishing a marine-training program or curriculum will be able to show how its courses will help build a necessary labor force in a particular geographic area. The more responses we receive, the more detailed analysis we will be able to provide, right down to a regional perspective.”
Ed Lofgren, MITEC’s Workforce Development Division Director also stated, “This survey is not just for MITEC, but for the entire industry. Many marine trade organizations can’t afford to collect regional data on their own, and that can prevent them from going after funding. Once MITEC has completed the survey, the results will be available for any and all to use to attain workforce funds that will grow our industry.”
Already, more than 400 people have respond to the survey, and MITEC encouraging anyone all marine-industry employers to participate.
Tags: Needs Analysis, Surveys
