Eastern Shore study assesses marine business workforce shortages

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How can a small, historic waterfront town like Rock Hall, with 1,500 residents and a rich maritime tradition, thrive amid workforce shortages? That’s the question Mayor James Cook set out to answer.

Cook partnered with River & Roads Consulting, the Upper Shore Regional Council and community stakeholders to devise a feasibility study to evaluate the workforce development needs of marine-oriented businesses in Rock Hall and the surrounding region.

Gathering data

One of the missions of the USRC, a regional planning and development agency for Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne’s counties, is to implement programs to improve the quality of life in the Upper Shore region. The agency was already keenly aware of the shortage of workers in many of the municipalities, according to Susan O’Neill, executive director of the USRC.

“We created the community development technical assistance plan to help those who were in need of staff,” she said.

One of the first steps was to gather data. Sam Shoge, partner at Rivers & Roads Consulting, based in Easton, was approached by Cook about developing a plan to support local marinas, repair shops and charter operations. Shortly thereafter, the feasibility study was commissioned to develop a workforce development plan for the area.

The team adopted a community engagement approach, gathering data through surveys, interviews and focus groups and by talking with local businesses.

“We asked to hear directly from the local marine-oriented businesses, as well as those in the hospitality industry like hotels and restaurants,” Shoge said.

The team also reached out to economic and workforce development partners such as the Kent County Economic and Tourism Development Commission, the Greater Rock Hall Business Association, the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board and Chesapeake College, which boasts a robust and growing marine trades program.

Key findings

The multi-month study revealed that a seasonal local workforce was not enough to enable the area to thrive.

“Work picks up toward the beginning of the boating season and focuses on recreation, a shift from the history of the area, which was geared to jobs like seafood processing,” Shoge said.

The study also revealed that an aging and transient workforce is not necessarily sustainable.

“Not only is the workforce aging, but because of the seasonality of the business, some employees relocate to find steadier and more stable work,” Shoge said.

Workforce needs in the area run the gamut, from boat builders to riggers, skilled carpenters, diesel mechanics, small engine repair workers, fiberglass workers and captains.

Next step

The next step, according to Shoge, is to hire a program coordinator to address the immediate workforce needs.

“Chesapeake College has been a very good partner in this entire process and Kent County Public Schools just launched a marine trade program,” he said. “A coordinator would connect those resources to strengthen the workforce in Rock Hall.”

The study is already paying dividends.

“A local civic organization has recently created a scholarship to pay for a student’s marine training,” Shoge said.

Cook said he is pleased with the study, which he said paves the way for the Rock Hall region to move forward.

“Through a strategic, phased approach, we are laying the groundwork for workforce development that will support Rock Hall’s marine trades sector for years to come,” he said.

O’Neill, too, expressed optimism about the area’s future.

“This program was designed to help municipalities conceptualize, study and prepare initiatives that address the specific needs and challenges of communities,” she said. “We take great pride in supporting opportunities to grow the town’s marine trades sector. The findings could chart a new course for regional economic development initiatives on Maryland’s Upper Shore.”