NATIONAL MARINE TRADES CURRICULUM

Summary

Sound Marine Skills, Inc. (SMS) is a non-profit adult education partnership between the Sound School and the Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture Centers, Workforce Alliance, the Connecticut Marine Trades Association and several area full-service marinas and boatyards. SMS brings 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 and marine equipment dealers and manufacturers.

Program Description

The instructional vehicle is the American Boat and Yacht Council’s (ABYC) NationalMarine 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

In addition to technical skills, the focus is on workplace preparation combined with classroom and practical shop experience in each of the ABYC program modules listed above covering the full range of marine skilled trades – each a potential area for future technical specialization. Trainees should be persons beginning their career preparation or wishing to explore career alternatives who are taught by ABYC-accredited instructors and certified marine technicians. Classroom and shop teaching are combined with workplace experiences at area marina-teaching partners for specialized instruction in a wide range of boatyard skills. The program provides personal sets of industry-standard tools at no cost to the Trainee and a nationally recognized ABYC Certificate of Completion is awarded on successful completion of classroom and shop contact hours, proficiency examinations and practical field experience.

Trainee Entry Requirements

• 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, visit our website at www.soundmarineskills.org.