ABYC Foundation Educator Forums
This is a FREE all-day 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.
Future Dates:
November 13. 2025
January 27, 2026
April 7, 2026
November 13 Agenda
2:00pm - 4::15pm (Eastern)
2:00pm
Notes from SkillsUSA
More and more marine-oriented companies and schools are joining SkillsUSA. Sign on for a discussion with former ABYC Education Director, now Sr. Director of Business Development, as he discusses how you can get involved with Skills, his experience as a regional SkillsUSA judge, and what it means to be the new National Marine Service Competition Technical Chair. If you're not participating in SkillsUSA, now is the time.
Presenter: David Broadbent, ABYC
2:20pm
West Marine Pro and Your Students
ABYC has partnered with West Marine Pro to offer Pro accounts to students at ABYC Affiliated and MTAP schools. Join this short session to learn more about what this means for your school and your students.
Presenter: TBD
2:30pm
Industry-Specific Session
TBD
3:00pm
What's New in ABYC Education
The ABYC Education Department has seen some unprecedented growth in the past year under Education Director Tim Murphy. Join this open discussion to hear updates on an Advanced Marine Systems Technology curriculum, an Intro to Intro to Boatyard Basics course, and a new US Coast Guard Recreational Boat Regulatory Certification.
Presenters: Tim Murphy and Mike Bonicker, ABYC
3:30pm
Open Discussion for Educators
This is the stuff right here. At previous Educator Forums, these discussions have opened the door for some of the projects we're working on at ABYC. We've seen professional connections develop between educators. And, we've posed educator challenges to the group with multiple solutions coming up. Bring your questions, your war stories, and your challenges and solutions.
4:15pm End
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!
