With most recent chatter centered around luring biotechnology to town, marine officials say the community now needs to recognize the industry's importance to the economic base. Assistance, they say, is necessary to protect both water access and scores of local jobs.

"We're short on employees," said Vera Locke, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast. "There aren't enough certified employees and that's a big problem. We need to have more technical training related to the marine industry ... And we need to use some of our tax dollars to retain existing business."

The marine industry was the topic of conversation Tuesday at Indian River Community College's Chastain Campus in Stuart. Sponsored by the association and Workforce Development Board of the Treasure Coast, the workshop drew about 40 business, economic and educational leaders from the region and beyond.

Organizers said the seminar was an effort to bring parties together to discuss the industry's challenges, as well as provide information about assistance programs, incentives and partnerships.

Many in attendance said finding quality workers has been a major obstacle and asked for help in training people. Education and business development leaders supported that request, saying they are seeking ways to create a larger pipeline of marine employees.

"Most of us have adult employees looking for additional training. And it's not available in this area," said B.G. Sykes of Riviera Beach-based Sykes Marine Holdings.

Along with training incentives offered through the workforce board, employers learned about potential assistance from the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program and the Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Through the Space Alliance, local marine companies seeking a solution to a business problem can request free assistance from NASA contractors such as Northrop Grumman and Boeing Co. For example, when Texas-based Mosca Boats needed help bonding fiberglass shells to boat hulls, a Space Alliance partner helped find two low-cost adhesives that met the firm's production goals.

Marine representatives say such partnerships are needed when it comes to preserving a working waterfront in an area where so many employees are priced out of the housing market.

"People just can't afford to live here anymore and we're losing jobs to places like North Carolina," said Arthur Cox of A&J Boatworks in Stuart after the program. "I think this can help a lot, though. There was a lot of good information presented that I think will be useful."

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