Two maritime workforce organizations signed a formal partnership agreement last week aimed at addressing the industry's persistent recruitment and retention challenges, linking hands-on crew training directly to career awareness outreach for the first time.
Maritime Throwdown and We Work the Waterways executed a memorandum of understanding at the Inland Marine Expo in Nashville on May 29, creating a cause-marketing program under which Maritime Throwdown will donate $1,000 to We Work the Waterways for every MTD Pro Training Rig it sells.
The MTD Pro Training Rig is a hands-on platform built around line handling, safety, communication, and deck-level skills. Proceeds from its sale will fund We Work the Waterways' outreach programs, which use Maritime Interaction Days and educational partnerships to introduce students, educators, and job seekers to maritime careers.
"This program creates a way for companies investing in workforce development to also support workforce recruitment," said Capt. Kenny Brown, founder of Maritime Throwdown. "When companies invest in training their crews, they're also helping inspire and develop the next generation of mariners."
We Work the Waterways Executive Director Errin Howard said the deal fills a gap between industry training and early-stage career exposure. "Workforce development begins long before someone applies for a job," she said. "It starts with awareness, exposure, and helping people understand the opportunities available throughout the maritime industry."
Maritime Throwdown, which began as a regional line-handling competition, has expanded into a national training and workforce engagement organization. Texas A&M Maritime Academy Superintendent Col. Michael Fossum has referred to its growth as "The Maritime Throwdown Movement."
The maritime industry has faced sustained workforce shortages across vessel operations, port logistics, and inland waterway commerce, with industry groups citing a lack of career awareness among young people as a key driver.
Both Maritime Throwdown and We Work the Waterways organize activities and programming at the International WorkBoat Show and Pacific Marine Expo, trade events produced by Diversified, the parent company of WorkBoat.
