Sound Marine Skills

Sound Marine Skills, Inc. (SMS), is a non-profit adult education partnership between the Sound School Regional Vocational Aquaculture Center, the Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture School, Workforce Alliance, the Connecticut Marine Trades Association and several area full-service marinas and boatyards. SMS will bring career opportunities in marine technologies to recent high school graduates, under-employed and qualified unemployed adults at no cost to the trainee while addressing the maritime industry’s critical skilled labor shortages. Employment opportunities include marinas serving recreational boating and noncommercial fishing, retail boat sales and marine equipment dealers, manufacturers, shipping companies, port operations and harbor development.

The instructional vehicle is the American Boat and Yacht Council’s (ABYC) National Marine Trades Curriculum which covers:

- Inboard, outboard, I/O and diesel engine theory, repair and maintenance

- Marine systems (plumbing, electrical, fuel, hydraulic, steering and rigging)

- Fiberglass construction and repair - Marine finishes

- Wood joinery - Metalworking

- Nautical skills and seamanship - Boat handling and navigation

- Boating and shop safety - Boat design and construction

- Marina operations - Vessel transportation

- Fisheries management

Depending on the month instruction begins, the Program operates as an adult education evening program from September to June or as a full-time summer program during July and August focused on ABYC marine trades Certification program modules. Following a period of classroom instruction, trainees begin paid internships at shoreline full service marinas. Provisional Certification and personal sets of industry-standard tools required for independent field placements are awarded on completion of the required classroom and shop contact hours. Thereafter, Full Certification is awarded on completion of internship training, the required proficiency examination and receipt of a Letter of Satisfactory Employment from the internship supervisor. Job placement services will follow. Trainees will provide their own transportation.

Reading and language skills to comprehend technical manuals and complex verbal instructions

Mathematical skills to use measurement instruments and solve basic arithmetic problems

Motor skills to use a variety of hand and power tools

For more information, send your request to info@soundmarineskills.org