“A Much Larger Interest in Marine Trades"“
The Training Behind Your Marine Service Technician
By Sarah Devlin, Accreditation Director, ABYC
Whether you need a marine service technician for your seasonal punch list or you have an emergent malfunction as you cruise the Gulf, you must find someone who can ensure you will be on the water quickly and safely. One way to be certain you have a good land crew is to look for shops and yards with the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) logo—specifically ABYC Master Technician signs.
ABYC provides certification, in-house training, monthly webinars, short online courses, and instructive videos for marine service technicians and dealers.
Easily accessible and often free of charge for ABYC members, these training modules support marine service technicians with updated information about your boat’s systems, engines, outboards, and the ABYC Standards—the leading reference for 95% of all boats built in the United States.
Many schools along the west coast of Florida offer programs dedicated to Marine Systems and Service, and yards in the area are hiring out of these schools. As the competition for skilled workers ramps up, especially with the so-called “demographic cliff,” aka fewer graduates in the job market, schools with marine trade programs are paying attention to the needs of potential students. These schools are evolving their programs while aggressively recruiting students who are passionate about boating and/or the work.
Here, we talk to three MTAP schools along the Gulf Coast that are training upcoming marine industry professionals with ABYC certifications and manufacturer-designed outboard programs.
Fort Myers Technical College Fort Myers, FL
Programs Offered: Basic Boating Skills, Boat Repair and Restoration, First Aid/CPR, Machine Tool Operations, Marine Diesel Systems, Marine Electronics Installation, Marine Gas Fuel Systems, Marine Propulsion, Marine Systems (or Service) Technology, Navigation Skills, On-Water Courses, Onboard Plumbing Systems
Outboard Specialties: Mercury, Yamaha
The Marine Service Training program has been active at Fort Myers Technical College (FMTC) for decades, and the current instructor has over 40 years of experience in the marine industry. Relying on Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs, the instructors are transforming how they work with their students, from personalizing learning based on individual skills to identifying knowledge gaps with instant feedback.
“The students are constantly learning new skills, sometimes the hard way,” Michael Esterline, the lead instructor, says. “We call that exponential learning. We share what not to do with everyone as much as we show them what to do.
Manatee Technical College Bradenton, FL
Programs Offered: Basic Boating Skills, Machine Tool Operations, Marine Diesel Systems, Marine Electronics Installation, Marine Gas Fuel Systems, Marine Propulsion, Marine Systems (or Service) Technology, Onboard Plumbing Systems
Outboard Specialties: Mercury, Yamaha
The instructors at Manatee Technical College (MTC) work hand-in-hand with marine industry advisors to ensure they offer what the industry and its customers need. This relationship not only opens employment opportunities to these graduates but also gives the students a realistic sense of what to expect in their new jobs. Over the past few years, the MTC program has grown from a handful of students to requiring a waiting list as the school continues to develop its training and outreach initiatives within the marine industry.
“Every one of our students comes in with their ideas, ethics, perspectives, and goals for themselves in our industry,” says MTC Instructor Freddie Fowler. “We simply help our students learn about their own strengths and weaknesses and help them find their path to success.”
Suncoast Technical College Sarasota, FL
Programs Offered: Basic Boating Skills, Marine Diesel Systems, Marine Electronics Installation, Marine Gas Fuel Systems, Marine Propulsion, Marine Systems (or Service) Technology, Onboard Plumbing Systems
Outboard Specialties: Yamaha
According to Marine Service Technologies Lead Instructor Keith Rollins, the instructors at Suncoast Technical College receive a great deal of support from their administration. Because the instructors have latitude for creativity, they are able to expose their students to offshore race-boat engines, a rare opportunity for these trade school programs.
“I am finding a much larger interest in marine trades,” says Suncoast Instructor Keith Rollins (ABYC’s 2024 Educator of the Year). He adds, “I do my best to make things simple, like breaking down the physics of engine operation into bite-size pieces and explaining how sensors might react if things outside of the norm might happen.”
