The Boating BC Association has awarded nine British Columbia students the Glenn Spartz Scholarship to further pursue their careers in the marine industry. The scholarship winners represent and work for many local B.C. maritime businesses.
The scholarships were created specifically to meet the growing need for skilled marine trades, and directly supports individuals working towards their educational and career goals. The recipients include Dan Kennedy, Kayla James, Max Erwin, Paul McCabe, Sean McAuley, Steve Riley, Travis Clayton, William Mark, and Michael Taylor.
“Our industry has experienced significant growth in the recent years, and as a result, faces a shortage of qualified marine mechanical technicians,” said Boating BC President Don Prittie. Each scholarship recipient receives up to $2,000 towards their tuition. All the recipients are entering level-one of the Marine Mechanical Technician (MMT) Program at the BC Institute of Technology or Vancouver Island University’s Motorcycle & Marine Technician Foundation Program.
“The Glenn Spartz Scholarhip is one means of assisting individuals who are pursuing a career in the boating industry,” Prittie added. The Glenn Spartz Scholarship is a collaborative initiative led by various business and organizations, including the Boating BC Association, which represents recreational boating across British Columbia and includes more than 300 member businesses.
Other contributing partners to the scholarship include the marine propulsion businesses like Mercury Marine, Volvo Penta, Yamaha, BRP/Evinrude, and Suzuki Marine. The scholarship is named in honor of the former Boating BC board member who was instrumental in establishing the MMT program.
