From Classroom To Shipyard with Christian Battles: Season 5 Episode 10

The marine industry is often seen through glossy boat show photos and sleek yachts at anchor, but its real power lies in a workforce that keeps vessels, ports, and supply chains running. Season 5, Episode 10 of the Wards Way podcast explores how a veteran of PR and political fundraising stepped into maritime, spotted a widening skills gap, and mobilized industry partners to build a career pipeline with Junior Achievement. That shift brought fifth graders to BizTown for their first taste of work, eighth graders to a dedicated marine storefront for career exploration, and high school seniors into pre‑apprenticeships that lead to paid roles. Host Kristina Hebert and special guest Christine Battles examine why companies hesitate to hire “green” talent, how to reduce risk with on‑the‑job training, and why exposure beats assumptions when teens decide whether college or trades fit their goals.

The turning point came with a simple invitation: a Junior Achievement fundraising event that revealed a platform already serving construction, automotive, and finance. The maritime sector was missing, despite being a pillar of South Florida’s economy. Four industry leaders raised $137,000 in six weeks to secure and brand a larger storefront with nine walls, ensuring kids saw the breadth of maritime: recreational and commercial, sea and shore, operations and support. The space had to be built for attention: interactive displays, scavenger hunts, and tech‑first storytelling that meets students where they are. COVID forced a rapid pivot to virtual formats, yet the program endured and expanded with a new balance of yachting and commercial maritime, highlighting roles at ports, terminals, and logistics firms that hire right out of high school.

What makes this engine run is collaboration. Founding and new partners—from training schools like MPT to port operators, travel logistics, and service providers—fund the space and host field trips. Seniors who opt out of college can commit one day a week for six months to a pre‑apprenticeship track, getting hands‑on exposure to cranes, ship repair, and terminal operations. This matters because nearly half of students are questioning four‑year degrees, while trades offer strong pay with no debt. Companies benefit by shaping fresh, eager talent before bad habits form, while volunteers fill a crucial gap as classroom mentors and tour guides. The ask is clear: give time, open doors, and fund the storefront so it keeps pace with higher rent and the tech kids expect.

The duo also delves into the operations at Advanced Mechanical Enterprises, led by Chief Administrative Officer Christine Battles. Here, advanced methodologies such as vibration analysis, precision alignment processes, and reliability engineering are systematically employed to ensure the optimal performance and longevity of rotating and reciprocating machinery. It’s not glamorous on the surface, so the team reframes services with simple metaphors—“machine doctors” reading an EKG for engines and drivetrains—to make reliability feel essential, not optional. Culture and creativity drive outreach: annual T‑shirt contests with PG‑13 wit, dockside giveaways to crews, and memorable lines like “When ship happens.” These tactics aren’t fluff; they make maintenance tangible for decision‑makers who need outcomes more than jargon. It’s a reminder that storytelling moves work forward—whether you are fundraising for a classroom or convincing a captain to schedule condition monitoring before a failure.

The broader lesson is that a resilient marine economy depends on clear on‑ramps. Career awareness in middle school, focused exploration in eighth grade, and structured pre‑apprenticeships in senior year create a ladder that industry can trust. Diversity matters too: not every kid dreams of yachts; some light up at terminal operations, dispatch, or maritime logistics. With ports, yards, marinas, training centers, and service firms aligned, the pipeline strengthens, and the region keeps its competitive edge. The invitation stands: volunteer at Junior Achievement, host a field trip, sponsor a wall, or become a hiring partner. The next generation is ready to work. Give them a way on board.

For more information about Junior Achievement of South, FL please visit the following link: https://jasouthflorida.org/

We're excited for you to join us in this inspiring conversation by listening to the full episode on your favorite streaming platform.