Images of underwater submersibles exploring long lost wrecks like the Titanic are often what people associate with maritime robotics systems – such as ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles). In reality, their capabilities are far more varied. ROVs are utilized in everything from aquaculture to archaeology, from underwater forensics to search and rescue, from port infrastructure assessment and maintenance to supporting the offshore energy, marine research and environmental industries.
Given the versatility of ROVs across sectors, the field of Marine Tech is primed for growth and ripe with opportunities. But in order to accommodate workforce demands, job seekers and career changers need ways to explore and educate themselves about this growing field. That’s where New Bedford Research & Robotics (NBRR) has stepped in to meet this need with its Marine Tech Workforce Development Program.
Launched in 2025, NBRR’s introductory program blends lecture and hands-on experience to prepare participants for entry-level positions and entrepreneurial opportunities. Because the field of Marine Tech crosses multiple sectors, an important part of the program is educating participants about the professional paths within the field. “If I were first getting into the industry this is the course I’d want to take,” says Marine Tech Instructional Lead, Rhonda Moniz. And after 30+ years in the field, Moniz knows what she’s talking about. She’s led high-profile subsea investigations and training programs for the U.S. military, emergency responders, and scientific organizations. And her expertise bridges technical innovation and communication, spanning underwater forensics, marine technology marketing and blue economy strategy.
What Moniz believes makes NBRR’s program different is how the curriculum is structured. “It’s not just about operating ROVs; it’s about understanding the industry and the market potential of the blue economy.” Through lectures, learners get important information on theory, market sectors and where to look for employment in the industry. During the hands-on component of the instruction, they engage with the technology–take it apart, learn how it works, do basic troubleshooting and then get experience operating an ROV. Participants also gain important soft skills in the program, such as problem solving and collaboration, which are essential in any field. They not only help build confidence, but give learners a more robust portfolio of skills and experiences to utilize in the workplace.
For those with a more entrepreneurial spirit, the foundational industry knowledge they gain when combined with direct experience using the technology, can be valuable in creating an ROV-related business. In fact two graduates of the program intend to use the knowledge and skills to do just that. They’re currently exploring opportunities to provide underwater inspection and survey services using ROVs. Because “they gained hands-on experience operating, maintaining, and deploying ROVs as well as collecting underwater imagery and data, the program helped them see how these skills could be applied to real-world opportunities in areas such as infrastructure inspection, aquaculture and environmental monitoring,” says Moniz.
For some though, like Workforce graduate Carey Herzog, the program became a jumping off point for further training. Herzog, who earned an Associate’s degree in Environmental Technology from Cape Cod Community College was drawn to the experiential component of the Marine Tech Program. The “hands-on research was something that I always looked forward to, and this program sounded like the perfect opportunity to expand my experience for future career prospects.” After learning more about the field, Herzog is headed to UMASS Dartmouth this fall to begin his Bachelor’s in Conservation Biology, after which he hopes to start a career doing CSI work using underwater drones. And that’s ultimately the Program’s goal: educating people about the Marine Tech industry and helping them identify where their interests reside within it.
For the region’s Blue Economy to continue to thrive, it takes workers who understand the complexity of the industry and what skills are needed to meet sector demand. And for its part, NBRR is proud to play a role in the workforce ecosystem, one that will ensure the region’s economic engine continues to grow for years to come.
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Want to know more?
To learn more about NBRR and its Workforce Development Program, check out this link.