Despite the obvious attractions of working in the boating industry – and proven longevity of staff, the topic of recruitment and retention remains challenging. The recent Sounding Trades Only Marina Industry Global Workforce Study also revealed that the average age in the marine industry is 49.5, resulting in an ageing workforce and an inherent risk of losing institutional knowledge.
Training then is a valuable solution, particularly for younger members of staff. The opportunities offered by well-prepared programmes, including knowledge acquisition, networking connections and employee satisfaction, can result in a diverse set of benefits both for the trainee and their home marina.
This year, TransEurope Marinas approved a training bursary for marina members wishing to participate in the Global Marina Institute courses, such those certifying Intermediate (IMM) or Advanced Marina Management (AMM). Two marinas sent candidates to the autumn AMMs in Athens, who returned with high praise for the programme.
Manager of Emsworth Yacht Harbour, multiple winners of the TYHA Marina of the Year award, Tom Marfleet, described his experience:
“I joined 21 delegates from 9 countries in not-so-sunny Athens for the 5-day GMI AMM course. The programme combined insightful lectures, inspiring site visits to local marinas, and collaborative group projects. Highlights included a captivating presentation by Oscar Siches on marina design – Oscar’s marina philosophy was fascinating and his take on the job of a marina being to make the misery of boat ownership more bearable was both relatable and entertaining – and a memorable social dinner hosted by Flisvos Marina/Lamda Group. Led by experienced British Marine experts, Manj Mahey & Tony Dye, the course offered valuable knowledge and excellent networking opportunities. I would like to say a special thanks to TransEurope for part-funding the trip; an excellent incentive that I hope other marinas in the network will take up.”
Katy Ednay, Marina Manager of Cowes Yacht Haven, on the Isle of Wight, attended the AMM course with her boatyard colleague Simon Davies:
“It was a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking course, and a great opportunity to meet and network with other managers in the industry. With a selection of speakers covering various aspects, it kept the learning relevant and kept us all engaged throughout.”
Daniel Jehan, Managing Director added:
“The AMM course was something that Katy had wanted to achieve, and the bursary scheme made a big difference. Since Katy’s return she has been able to share her experiences and enlighten her team back in the UK of the practices and ideas from other parts of the world. This is invaluable in helping us to develop our own marina in Cowes and to see what customers from further afield might require or expect from us.”
On behalf of GMI, Manj Mahey, Head of Training commented:
“We’re delighted to partner with TransEurope Marinas and welcome all future training bursary recipients. It’s a great opportunity to further our goal of raising marina standards globally.”
TransEurope Marinas Chair, Maarten Desloveere CMM described his satisfaction with the results so far:
“This initiative was met with unanimous approval in meetings by our members. By investing in training, TransEurope Marinas can help marinas retain top talent and drive innovation in the marina sector. I know from my own experience that the knowledge accrued through these professional development courses definitely results in customer service improvements and operational efficiencies. Above all, these courses offer you a chance to get to know like-minded people from across the globe with whom long-term relationships are often built. You gain new insights from each other that you can then immediately apply in your own environment.”
For 2025, TransEurope Marinas looks forward to supporting 4 more marina member candidates with training bursaries. For more information on the GMI courses, visit their website: www.globalmarinainstitute.net
