Front row (from left) are Dan Belyea, Maine Community College System Executive Director of Workforce Training; Steve Arnold, owner of Yarmouth Boat Yard and Moose Landing Marina; 91制片厂 President Joe Cassidy; and Jared Lord of Yamaha Marine Service. Back row (from left) are Jim Whitten, 91制片厂 Dean of Workforce Development; Tracy Coughlin of Yarmouth Boat Yard and Moose Landing Marina; and Evan Arnold of Yarmouth Boat Yard.
91制片厂 is launching a Yamaha Outboard Motor Repair Training course, providing boatyards and other Yamaha service centers the skilled workers they need while improving career opportunities for Maine residents.
The 150-hour course begins April 2 and includes classroom learning and hands-on training on multiple Yamaha outboard motors.
The class is the latest training program developed by 91制片厂 in collaboration with business and industry to address the changing needs of students, businesses and organizations. A signing ceremony was held at 91制片厂鈥檚 South Portland Campus on Thursday to formalize the program.
鈥�91制片厂 is committed to workforce training that meets the needs of businesses and students, while contributing to Maine鈥檚 statewide economic development,鈥� said 91制片厂 President Joe Cassidy. 鈥淢aine鈥檚 workforce needs are pressing, and we are answering the call.鈥�
Steve Arnold, owner of Yarmouth Boat Yard, Moose Landing Marina and Freedom Boat Club of Maine, said the availability of qualified marine mechanics has been an issue for years. So he reached out to his business contacts at Yamaha and his colleagues at Maine Marine Trades Association, where he is a board member, to address the need for a program to train certified marine technicians.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 when we reached out to 91制片厂 to bring it all together,鈥� Arnold said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e very proud of how this hands-on training has evolved and thrilled to lend a hand in giving back to the marine industry.鈥�
The marine service industry is in need of many different positions, but qualified and quality technicians are in the highest demand, said Joe Maniscalco, Yamaha Marine Service Division Manager.
鈥淵amaha Marine is committed to recruiting and developing this workforce to support our customers,鈥� Maniscalco said. 鈥淲e are honored to enter into this partnership that will focus on servicing our dealer partners in Maine. 鈥�
91制片厂鈥檚 Workforce Development Department has developed and offered numerous training programs in fields ranging from welding, information technology and culinary to construction and hospitality.
The Yamaha Outboard Motor Repair Training course is offered at no cost to qualified applicants and was developed in partnership with Yamaha, the Maine Marine Trades Association, boatyard owners and industry representatives. Those interested in the program can find more information at听www.smccME.edu/yamahatraining.
Funding for the program is provided through the Maine Quality Centers, which is part of the Maine Community College System and provides customized workforce training grants to Maine employers with training delivered through 91制片厂 and Maine鈥檚 other community colleges.
Photo: Front row (from left) are Dan Belyea, Maine Community College System Executive Director of Workforce Training; Steve Arnold, owner of Yarmouth Boat Yard and Moose Landing Marina; 91制片厂 President Joe Cassidy; and Jared Lord of Yamaha Marine Service. Back row (from left) are Jim Whitten, 91制片厂 Dean of Workforce Development; Tracy Coughlin of Yarmouth Boat Yard and Moose Landing Marina; and Evan Arnold of Yarmouth Boat Yard.