The Marine Industry’s Sea The World Storefront To Be Revealed

22nd April 2019

New Generation of Youth to be Introduced to the Plethora of Careers Available in South Florida’s Most Lucrative Job Market.

South Florida’s marine industry is a 12 billion/year economic engine that provides the tri-county with 142,000 careers/jobs. In an industry where the skilled trades and specialized career tracks are crucial to its vitality, the maritime community is facing a workforce that’s aging out with skilled labor being very hard to find. Understanding the need to keep the industry thriving with a new generation of workers, 24 local marine industry companies have joined forces with Junior Achievement of South Florida to unveil the Marine Industry Storefront, Sea the World, in the Patten Family Finance Park located at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Well Pavilion.

Each year more than 20,000 eighth grade students from Broward and south Palm Beach Counties visit JA Finance Park to learn how financial and career path decisions will impact their potential income and quality of life, while also learning important life lessons related to family health care, real estate and home improvements, automobiles, insurance, entertainment, education, and purchasing items such as clothing, furniture and groceries.

“As an owner/operator of a small business invested in the maritime world, I’ve seen first-hand how difficult it is to find skilled labor to meet our business growth,” said Christine Battles, CAO, Advanced Mechanical Enterprises. “Our industry is a gold mine of opportunities for the next generation. I’ve made a personal commitment to inspire their interest in our field, which, will in turn, maintain the maritime industry as a thriving economic force in the state. Our JA storefront is a major step towards fulfilling this initiative.”

Sea the World is composed of nine walls representing engine room specialists, yachting professionals, shipyard trade workers and other areas like marina management, boat sales, boat building to name a few. Together, the following founding companies raised over $130,000 for the buildout and curriculum development:

• Advanced Mechanical Enterprises
• Maritime Professional Training
• Pier 66 Marina
• The Triton (newspaper)
• IGY Marinas
• Marine Industries Association of South Florida
• Palladium Technologies LLC
• Aere Marine Group
• FB Marine Group
• Derecktor Shipyards
• Global Marine Travel
• Lauderdale Marine Center
• Luxury Home Consultants
• AdvantageServices.Net
• MHG Insurance Brokers
• Palmdale Oil Company
• RPM Diesel Engines Co.
• Viking Crew
• Ward’s Marine Electric
• Water Taxi
• Wright Maritime Group
• Roscioli Yachting Center
• Elite Marine AC
• Universal Marine Center

The participating parties are now transitioning into phase two of the execution process which may include but not limited to custom boat tables, piling with rope, a fighting chair, and other marine themed elements to complete the look and feel of the Marine Industry Storefront.

Marine industry professionals and members of the media will gather at the facility in May for a guided tour through the new space.