Project Based Activities to Attract Students to Marine Engineering and Technology Careers

During the past several years, workforce issues have immerged as a dominant concern for shipbuilding and repair companies. Related issues include concern about “aging” of the workforce, lack of basic technical education, career transition processes, recruitment and training of the new workforce, retention and training of the incumbent workforce, image of the industry, and lack of career information for middle and high school students. Large turnover combined with retirement of aging workforce is anticipated to create large demands for qualified workforce. The Shipbuilding and Repair Career Day Events (SBRCD) project was conceived in response to this critical need of workforce in shipbuilding and repair industry. This project was funded by the National Shipbuilding research Program to increase awareness about careers in marine industry. The paper discusses the multi-pronged effort within the SBRCD project to inform and engage middle and high school students, teachers and counselors about career opportunities in this industry. The paper also discusses the design and development of four simulation activities known as marine kits to engage students in shipbuilding related projects. These activities are tied to Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) so teachers can use them in classrooms without loosing time. The Marine Kits were pilot tested and results are discussed.