Governor Preparing to Grow Maine's Boatbuilding Workforce; The Landing School Considered...

ARUNDEL, Maine -- Providing the workforce to strengthen Maine's 400-year-old boatbuilding industry and ensure its success in the global economy will be a main area of focus for a federal grant, Governor Baldacci announced today.

Governor Baldacci shared his plan for using funds from

"In order to help Maine's boatbuilding tradition maintain its successful position in the industry, we must provide a trained and educated workforce," said Baldacci. "The WIRED grant will help expand the educational and training opportunities for those who pursue careers in marine trades, and create high-quality jobs."

The Landing School is considered to be one of the top boatbuilding educational facilities in the nation by many marine industry professionals, and supplies the workforce for many of Maine's boatbuilding businesses. The School currently has 70 students enrolled in its four programs: traditional boatbuilding, cruising boat boatbuilding, yacht design and marine systems technician. Barry Acker, president of The Landing School, said the School has both traditional and non-traditional students from all over the United States and the world.

"Our students represent a mix of ages, occupations and backgrounds that works marvelously," said Acker. "Some are recent high school graduates, some are retirees and some are pursuing a second career. Our sole mission is to prepare all of them for a career in marine trades. The WIRED grant is a great opportunity for them and the boatbuilding industry."

The Landing School also offers on-site employee training through its Center for Continuing Education, which was created in 2005 to meet the marine industry demand for employee technical training. The continuing education program features condensed courses conducted on-site for customers across the country.

The North Star Alliance, a partnership formed by Governor Baldacci that includes the Department of Labor, the Department of Economic and Community Development and the University of Maine, will oversee the administration of the WIRED grant with input from the boatbuilding, composite and marine industries. The purpose of the grant is to create jobs, strengthen the state's economy and ensure Maine maintains its competitive edge in the boatbuilding, composite and marine sectors. Maine was one of only 13 national regions in 12 states to receive the competitive WIRED grant, which is awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor.

For more information about The Landing School, please visit www.landingschool.edu.