The Waterfront Alliance is holding a workshop Friday in Portland to talk about ways to attract young workers to Maine’s commercial and recreational marine economy.
The community does not realize how many good jobs are available as baby boomers retire from this growing part of Maine’s economy, according to Erno Bonebakker, the alliance’s vice president. These jobs range from boatbuilders to aquaculture workers to kayak guides to marina workers. The idea for the workshop grew out of a January meeting of the alliance about this emerging labor shortage.
Speakers intended to kick off the discussion include Adam Shepard, executive director of Rippleffect in Portland, an outdoor education and youth development company; Monique Coombs, marine programs director at Maine Coast Fishermen Association in Brunswick; Jason Curtis, vice president of Portland Yacht Services; Stacey Keefer, executive director of Maine Marine Trades Association in Rockland; and Ken Sparta of Pine Tree Council Boy Scouts of America.
The forum will be held at 4 p.m. at The Maine Boatbuilders Show at the Portland Sports Complex at 512 Warren Ave. Workshop attendees receive free admission to the boat show after 3 p.m., but you have to RSVP to get your name on the meeting list at ebonebak@gmail.com.
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