The marine industry is short on technicians and skilled service and parts workers - just as boats and systems get more complex. Meanwhile, about 200,000 service members transition to civilian careers annually. Candidates who are disciplined, hard-working, good with their hands and who value operational excellence. Veterans provide a pre-qualified pipeline: every recruit took the ASVAB, which screens for mechanical and technical aptitude and many military jobs map directly to marine careers. There are even programs to help pay for mentorship. This session will look at what opportunities are available, how to access to them, ways to fine-tune your search based on specific military experience and top tips for creating the kind of shop environment where all of your technicians (whether they have a military background or not) will thrive and want to remain for years to come.  

• Learn how to connect with military candidates who are a match for marine service jobs as they search for civilian careers

• Learn how to tap into the SkillBridge mentorship program.

• Uncover ways to grow and retain technicians who value teamwork, communication skills and discipline to benefit your shop and dealership.

Valerie Ziebron brings over three decades of experience to the marine industry. Specializing in helping service and parts professionals ‘flip the switch’ from reactive to proactive habits that increase customer loyalty and dealership profitability. Valerie is a master trainer who has produced some of the marine industries’ most effective programs including the Service Management and Service Advisor Programs for the MRAA. Her workshops are consistently among the most requested and highest rated.