ABYC Foundation Educator Forums
This is a FREE online event.
The online ABYC Foundation Educator Forum provides a valuable platform for high school and post-secondary educators, as well as industry trainers and administrators of marine service technology programs, to connect, share challenges, explore available resources and discuss opportunities for students. Join your fellow Marine System Technology educators, along with ABYC staff and industry professionals to discuss what you're doing. Industry members are invited to participate throughout the event.
These events are recorded so you can come and go as your schedule allows, but still have access to the entire conference discussion. Times are Eastern.
April 7 Agenda
All times in EDT
2:00pm
Outboard Roundtable
Last year, we brought together the four major outboard manufacturers to hear from you, the educators, and to talk about what they bring to the training table. We’re bringing them back to share what is new with their products, training, and other changes going on in the outboard world.
Presenters: Yamaha, Mercury, Suzuki, Honda
2:40pm
Expanding Your ABYC Curriculum
Many of you are already familiar with the presentations and assessments that come with ABYC’s Marine Service Technology (MST) curriculum. In this session, we’ll look at some of the other resources offered in ABYC’s continuing-education series. The “Introduction to Boatyard Basics” course takes students straight into the service yard, setting expectations for performing such entry-level jobs as anode replacement, antifouling preparation and coating, shrink-wrapping for transport and storage, and more. We’ll also discuss ABYC online-learning bundles in marine systems, engines, and electrical systems.
Presenters: Tim Murphy and Mike Bonicker, ABYC
3:10pm
Methods for Reaching Your Students
It was just four years ago that the GNBVT Marine Technology program in New Bedford, MA, first started up. Yet in that short time, founding instructor Mike McConnell took it to the first-ever high school program to receive ABYC’s Marine Trades Accreditations (MTAP) status. ABYC Education Director Tim Murphy will speak with Mike about some of the techniques he uses to attract students to marine technology during their initial exploratory phase; the ways he converts ABYC curriculum materials into games; and how he works with members of New Bedford marine businesses to shape his program and demonstrate real career paths to young people entering the workforce.
Presenter: Mike McConnell, Greater New Bedford Vocational & Technical High School
3:40pm
International Marine Service Tech Week
From April 20 to 24, we will be celebrating the fifth annual Marine Service Technician Week—a week dedicated to celebrating the very folks who are literally getting people on the water. This social-media campaign attracts hundreds of companies and shops (read: potential employers for your students), posting about these hard-working professionals, and how schools, instructors, and students can get involved. Learn how your school can participate!
Presenter: Jaclyn Vinventi, ABYC
3:50
Make the Most out of Your Affiliated/MTAP Membership
In general, schools that align with ABYC receive first dibs on events as members, free webinars, access to the ABYC Standard, and more. They have access to thousands of dollars in savings. Join this session to learn more about your ABYC membership, how to access some of the benefits you may be missing, and discover who you should talk to when you feel lost in the system.
Presenters: Sarah Devlin & Kevin Scullen, ABYC
4:00
OPEN DISCUSSION
The main event! This is, by far, the number one reason educators claim to attend to the Educator Forum. Join us in this open, lightly moderated, discussion to pose questions, raise knotty problems, and discover fresh solutions with ABYC staff, industry folks, and your colleagues in MST and MTAP programs across the US, Canada, and the Caribbean. Think about your questions now, write some down during today’s sessions, turn on your camera, and unmute. Here we go!
About the Educator Forums
The Educator Forum provides a valuable platform for high school and post-secondary educators, as well as administrators of marine service technology programs, to connect, share challenges, explore available resources, and discuss opportunities for students.
ABYC invites industry leaders who are passionate about marine workforce development to participate as speakers. These professionals can share insights about their businesses, the industry as a whole, and strategies for bringing qualified marine technicians into the field. Interested speakers are encouraged to submit a description of their proposed talking points by visiting www.abycinc.org/EducatorForumApplication.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for industry leaders to engage with educators who are shaping the next generation of marine professionals,” said Sarah Devlin, ABYC Accreditation Director. “By sharing their expertise and insights, industry leaders can influence the education and training of future marine technicians. This collaboration benefits students and helps businesses by fostering a workforce that is ready to contribute from day one.”
Questions? Let's talk!
Get in touch so we can start working together. Contact ABYC Accreditation Director, Sarah Devlin at sdevlin@abycinc.org for questions!
