New marine technology program makes big waves with local students – Adirondack Daily Enterprise

Report on the Marine Technology Program: An Initiative for Sustainable Regional Development

1.0 Introduction: A Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Goals

A new Marine Technology program, launched as a collaborative effort between the Franklin-Essex-Hamilton (FEH) Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and the Saranac Lake Central School District, represents a significant step towards achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the Tri-Lakes region. This initiative directly addresses local economic needs while promoting quality education, decent work, and sustainable community development, aligning with the global 2030 Agenda.

2.0 Program Objectives and Alignment with SDGs

The program was established to meet a documented regional demand for skilled marine mechanics, thereby supporting the local economy and key industries. Its core objectives are directly linked to several SDGs:

• SDG 4: Quality Education: To provide accessible, high-quality vocational training that equips students with industry-recognized credentials and practical skills for lifelong learning and employment.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: To create a pipeline of skilled technicians, fostering productive employment and decent work, and supporting the sustainable growth of the local tourism and marine service sectors.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: To strengthen the economic resilience of local communities by ensuring the viability of a key regional industry.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: To exemplify a successful multi-stakeholder partnership between educational institutions and local businesses to achieve common development goals.

3.0 Implementation and Educational Framework

The program’s structure is designed to maximize educational and vocational outcomes, reflecting the principles of SDG 4 (Quality Education).

3.1 Enrollment and Accessibility

Located at Saranac Lake High School, the program immediately reached its capacity of 15 senior students, with a waiting list of juniors for the following year. Through the FEH BOCES partnership, it is accessible to students across the Tri-Lakes area, including Lake Placid, Long Lake, and Tupper Lake, ensuring inclusive and equitable educational opportunities.

3.2 Curriculum and Skills Development

The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with extensive hands-on training, preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce and contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by building a skilled labor force.

1. Technical Certifications: Students earn certifications from leading industry manufacturers, including Mercury and Honda, ensuring their skills meet current industry standards.
2. Practical Skill Areas: The hands-on curriculum covers a comprehensive range of topics essential for modern marine maintenance, which supports SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by promoting efficient and environmentally sound engine service. Topics include:
   • New York State Boater Safety Certification
   • 2-stroke and 4-stroke engine operation and diagnostics
   • Outboard engine systems and hull service
   • Trailer maintenance (lighting, wheel bearings)
   • Seasonal procedures such as winterization and shrink-wrapping
3. Work-Based Learning: Partnerships with local businesses, including Fogarty’s Lake Flower Marina, Tri-Lakes Marina, and Spencer Boatworks, provide students with invaluable real-world experience.
4. Entrepreneurial Training: In alignment with SDG 8, the program incorporates business management skills. Students earn a college credit for business through North Country Community College and engage in practical exercises such as mock billings, profit margin calculation, and invoicing to foster entrepreneurial capabilities.

4.0 Impact on Sustainable Economic Growth and Community

The Marine Technology program is a targeted intervention to bolster the regional economy, directly contributing to SDG 8 and SDG 11. By addressing the critical shortage of marine technicians, the program ensures the continued operation and growth of numerous local marinas and related tourism businesses. This strengthens the local economic base, provides stable employment pathways for youth, and enhances the overall sustainability of the Tri-Lakes communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article is centered around the creation of a new marine technology program for high school students. It focuses on providing vocational training, hands-on experience, and industry-recognized credentials, which are all key components of quality education, particularly in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The program was launched in response to a “growing demand for skilled marine mechanics in the region.” By equipping students with relevant skills for employment, the initiative directly supports the local economy, particularly the marina workforce and tourism. It aims to create a pathway to decent jobs and even entrepreneurship, as students learn business skills to potentially “run their own business.”

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article explicitly details a multi-stakeholder partnership. The core collaboration is between “FEH BOCES” and “Saranac Lake Central School District.” This public-public partnership is expanded through collaborations with the private sector, as students “participate in work-based learning at local marinas such as Fogarty’s Lake Flower Marina, Tri-Lakes Marina and Spencer Boatworks.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  1. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

     The entire program is designed to meet this target. It provides seniors with specific vocational skills in marine technology, such as engine repair, diagnostic software use, and winterization. The curriculum also includes business skills (“mock billings,” “profit margins,” “liability insurance”) to foster entrepreneurship.

  2. Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.

     The program provides accessible vocational training to students from multiple school districts (“Lake Placid, Long Lake, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake”), making quality technical education available to youth in the region.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  1. Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.

     The program directly addresses this by engaging high school seniors and juniors in a structured training program that leads to employment opportunities. The article notes the course “filled up almost immediately with seniors,” indicating its role in keeping youth engaged in productive training.

  2. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.

     By training students to fill a recognized “need for marine technicians,” the program contributes to achieving productive employment in the local community and supports the sustainability of the local boating and tourism industries.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  1. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

     The article is a case study of this target in action. It describes the “joint FEH BOCES-Saranac Lake program” (a public-public partnership) and its collaboration with local businesses and marinas for work-based learning (a public-private partnership).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for SDG 4 (Quality Education)

  • Number of students enrolled in the vocational program: The article states the program “quickly reached full enrollment” with a capacity of “15 seniors” and that it will likely “be full again next year.” This measures participation in vocational training (relevant to Target 4.3 and 4.4).
  • Number of industry-recognized certifications awarded: The article mentions that students “will earn certifications from both Mercury and Honda” and their “New York state Boater Safety Certification,” which are direct measures of skill acquisition (relevant to Target 4.4).
  • Number of students participating in work-based learning: The article confirms that students “participate in work-based learning at local marinas,” providing a measurable indicator of practical skills development (relevant to Target 4.4).

• Indicators for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

  • Youth employment/training rate: The program’s full enrollment of seniors and planned enrollment of juniors directly contributes to reducing the proportion of youth not in education or training (relevant to Target 8.6). The number of graduates who gain employment in the field would be a key follow-up indicator.
  • Number of local businesses engaged: The article mentions several marinas by name (“Fogarty’s Lake Flower Marina, Tri-Lakes Marina and Spencer Boatworks”) and notes that “local businesses and marinas loved the idea,” implying a high level of engagement which can be quantified (relevant to Target 8.5).

• Indicators for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

  • Number of formal partnership agreements: The article identifies a key partnership between “FEH BOCES” and “Saranac Lake Central School District” and working relationships with multiple local marinas. These can be counted as formal or informal partnership agreements (relevant to Target 17.17).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: adirondackdailyenterprise.com