Online registration is under way at www.abycinc.org for the second annual Conference on Marine Industry Technical Training, to be held Jan. 23–24 at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, just outside Tampa, Fla.

COMITT, co-produced by the American Boat & Yacht Council, the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Professional BoatBuilder magazine, will provide a forum to discuss technical workforce education, training, certification and professional development.

“Last year we built the foundation for an industry approach to providing quality marine technical education, training and professional development,” said ABYC president Skip Burdon, in a statement. This was accomplished, he said, by assembling a diversified mix of industry and education representatives “who reached consensus regarding the approach and implementation of a nationally coordinated program.”

Burdon said COMITT ’06 would focus on uncovering “Resources for Success.” For educators, that means locating funding through grants, gifts and scholarships, as well as materials and marine products for instructional use. For the industry it means learning about financial support and reimbursement for workforce professional development programs, administrative support in managing such programs, and personnel support from educational institutions.

“Providing the right training at the right time is a large component of increasing customer satisfaction,” said Thom Dammrich, the NMMA president who helped spearhead the industry’s Grow Boating Initiative. As Grow Boating achieves its goals, “more highly trained and motivated technicians will be needed in all industry sectors,” Dammrich said in a statement.

At the January COMITT, organizations will be able to display materials for a fee of $150. Kiosk space will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants also will be able to meet and discuss ideas with the newly formed 22-member Marine Industry Technical Education Council, an organization created as a result of COMITT ’05.

The cost to attend is $250 for business and association leadership, $200 for post-secondary institutions and $150 for high schools. The producers are encouraging business leaders to sponsor the participation of a local or state high school, especially those that have or are considering a marine trades program.

Register at www.abycinc.org or by contacting the ABYC Education Department at (410) 956-1050. Both event and high school sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Carl Cramer at (207) 359-4651 or carl@proboat.com.