Business View Magazine - May 2024

who also possess the necessary credentials to crew our nation’s Ready Reserve Force (RRF). The RRF, when activated, carries vital military equipment, and ensures that our nation’s military is ready to execute its mission anywhere across the globe at any time. This investment in maritime infrastructure and the economic growth in the industry is not possible without a well-trained maritime workforce.Workforce education and training is a vital component in ensuring the economic growth of the industry, especially in today’s work environment that is seeing historic labor shortages across the maritime industry.There are several efforts currently underway to address the current shortage in the maritime workforce, both ashore and afloat. Infrastructure improvements at the Federal U.S. Merchant Marine Academy aim to modernize and improve the education and training of our future mariner workforce, and programs like the Student Incentive Program continue to attract mariners to the industry. However, further investment is paramount. Investing in more activities like industry marketing and a broader incentive program could cast a wider net and attract a new generation of workforce. Potential also lies in MARAD’s Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE) Program, which recognizes maritime training and education institutions across the country. In addition to these programs, a sizable number of young people continue to realize the value of a career in this field through a nation-wide network of maritime high schools in waterfront communities. Over the past few years, new schools have opened and others are expanding their scope. MARAD expects that this can lead to consistent enrollment at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy as well the six State Maritime Academies and Colleges. This enthusiasm and positive momentum are all indicators of a strong future for the maritime workforce. Through historical investment in maritime infrastructure, building the U.S.-flag fleet, and the promotion of the maritime industry as a whole, USDOT, MARAD, and other federal agencies assist in developing and maintaining port infrastructure thus assuring that these enterprises can be sustained long term and this base of activity and employment will flourish. 168 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 05