Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter has announced $460,000 in funding for the province’s boat building association.

The money will be used to develop a new trade known as a marine service technician.

The idea is to train workers to service, repair, refit and upgrade ships.

Dexter tells News 95.7 the focus is on young people.

“How do we get more young people into the trade and how do we get them through the apprenticeship program and into a journeyman certification,” he explains.

He says the new training program will ensure boat builders have updated skills.

While the announcement was made on the South Shore, Dexter explains the money will benefit the entire province.

“We have a tremendous expertise – a very long history of this – and it is being recognized,” he says. “More and more Nova Scotia boat building facilities are actually winning North American and international tenders for work.”

Association executive director Tim Edwards says the money will help Nova Scotia boat builders remain competitive in order to attract international business.

The Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association has more than 80 industry members.