The decline in the fishing industry in recent years has forced many people who once made their living on the water to seek new careers. Fishermen, lobstermen, clam diggers, urchin divers and even those who transport fish have all been affected by the changes. Many spouses who participated in these businesses have been displaced as well.
The good news is that many of those who have been displaced from fishing-related industries are eligible to receive financial assistance for retraining through the federal Fishing Industry Retraining and Re-employment Project. Since 1994, the Maine Department of Labor has annually applied for and disbursed these federal funds in the state.
“The first grant was written to serve approximately 25 persons in the Portland area,” said the program’s facilitator, Frank Morgan, whose office is located in the Rockland Career Center. “When we found out that the need was much greater, another application was submitted to serve more people. Since the program began we’ve served more than 1,350 men and women. Approximately 200 of those were served during the past two years.”
Morgan explained that funds for retraining haven’t just been made available to qualified fishermen but also to qualifying spouses and others who were displaced from careers connected to the fishing industry.
“This program falls under the dislocated workers category,” said Morgan. “Spouses who have participated in the fishing business and others who have been displaced from fishing-related careers may apply – the decline in the fish stock has decimated the whole infrastructure.”
According to Morgan, shortly after the program came into existence, the Labor Department realized that there was a disconnect between Augusta and the waterfront. Morgan, who is a former fishermen, was hired to solve that problem.
“When you’ve grown up doing something for a living and then all of the sudden you have to do something else, it throws you for a loop,” said Morgan. “I’ve been there. I know what they’re going through.”
Morgan stated that a number of fishermen have received training to get their captain’s licenses. Some have also completed training for an “AB” (Able Bodied seaman) ticket and have gone on to operate a tugboat or joined the merchant marine.
“They wanted to stay on the water,” said Morgan. “Some others have received training to be a truck driver, an accountant, a computer tech, an oil burner tech and even an airplane pilot.”
Morgan added that approximately 200 spouses have participated in training programs. Many have trained to be Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). Some have been trained as computer techs.
“The goal of the program,” commented Morgan, “is to get people retrained and back into the workplace. Our focus is more on short-term training rather than four-year degrees because our funding is just approved one year at a time.”
Morgan stressed that although the program has been in existence for several years, the funds may not be available forever. So those interested in retraining should apply at any of Maine’s Career Centers as soon as possible.
To be eligible, fishermen must meet the following qualifications:
* During the past two years, at least 65 percent of their income must have come from a fishing-related industry.
* They must be able to demonstrate that they have experienced an economic decline during the past two years.
* They must be compliant with the IRS and up to date on their taxes. (They may owe back taxes but must have a payment schedule in place.)
To find out the location of the nearest Career Center, visit their website at www.mainecareercenter.com, or call (888) 457-8883.