MA Budget Includes Recreational Boating Workforce Development Funding

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey recently signed the fiscal year 2027 state budget, which includes $150,000 in funding for workforce development and career technical education initiatives within the recreational boating industry. This funding will continue the initiatives and progress that the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) has made to help meet the workforce challenges within the industry.

The funds were introduced via budget amendments sponsored in the Senate by Senator Patrick O’Connor and in the House by Rep. Jessica Giannino, joined in leadership by Senator Paul Feeney and Rep. Steven Xiarhos — the four co-chairs of the 60-plus-member Legislative Boating Caucus.

Funding received by the state is utilized to support schools providing training within the recreational boating industry. Whether through existing or new programs, MMTA’s goal is to help the many educational facilities that train future leaders within the recreational boating industry.

The MMTA, working with its educational trust, has also created various data points for the industry, including a school overview project and various workforce wage and benefits studies, one of which will be updated later in 2026. This information can be found on the primary job/career site: www.massboatingcareers.com,