Broward College.

LOCATED IN THE LARGEST MARINE COMMUNITY ON THE EAST COAST, BROWARD COLLEGE, formerly Broward Community College, is ideally situated to offer a program to train workers for the marine industry. The Broward Marine Engineering Management Program curriculum was developed in cooperation with the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), and the college is nationally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, so students are assured of receiving a quality education. In addition, the instructors of the program are trained marine technicians with years of experience. By completing the two-year program, students can earn an associate degree in marine technology. The college has now been approved for four-year degrees so students can continue on to get a bachelor's degree in management and supervision.

In the first year of the program, students study customer service, marine technology, speech and chemistry. They also study English composition, marine electricity, applied physics, inboard/outboard saildrive, and marine diesel. The second year includes social behavioral science, college algebra and introduction to management. Students also receive education and training in A/C and refrigeration systems, marine aux systems, marine fuel systems and marine electronics. There are advanced classes in electricity and marine composites.

In the summer between the first and second year, there is a humanities elective and a class in principles of supervision. Students in the program are also required to serve an internship with a local marine company, where they receive additional hands-on experience under the supervision of a master technician. The internships are paid positions that can provide ongoing employment opportunities for the students, especially since there is a shortage of technicians with the academic education and technical training the Broward students receive. When seeking well-qualified new employees, local marine industry businesses often turn to Broward as a source.

Local industry leaders have provided great support for the program. Global Marine Travel President Tim Davey recently coordinated the donation by one of his clients of a 24-foot, 3,000-pound boat to Broward College. Students have begun restoring the vessel and have embarked on exercises that focus on safety, maintenance and repair. Joe Charles, president of Charles Industries, partnered with the City of Moore Haven on behalf of Broward College, and as a result, the program acquired three water taxis. The students are now able to train on the vessels that are most popularly used in the tourism industry.

These local industry leaders recognize that the Broward Marine Engineering Management Program is helping to meet their needs for a skilled workforce. It is also meeting the needs of its students as it fulfills its stated mission: "to prepare an individual to successfully navigate a lifelong career in the marine industry."

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For more information about the Broward College Marine Engineering Technology Program, visit www.broward.edu.