The TSP program aims to develop a stronger marine technician workforce through a certified curriculum
The Yamaha Marine Technical School Partnership (TSP) programme has added 10 new schools to its growing list of participants during the last 12 months, bringing the total number across the US to 117.
Developed in 2015, Yamaha’s TSP programme aims to develop a stronger marine technician workforce through a certified curriculum, Yamaha systems access and product donations used in the classroom for hands-on training.
New program participants include: The Alaska Maritime Education Consortium (AMEC), Fairbanks, Alaska; Andover High School, Andover, Minnesota; Cape Cod Community College, West Barnstable, Massachusetts; Catawba Community College, Hickory, North Carolina; Coastal Alabama Community College, Foley, Alabama; Chapman School of Seamanship, Stuart, Florida; Ft. Myers High School, Ft. Myers, Florida; Mid-Coast School of Technology, Rockland, Maine; Salem High School, Salem, Massachusetts; and William Floyd High School, Mastic Beach, New York.
The facilitation and growth of Yamaha Marine’s technical school relationships led to the development of Yamaha-sponsored curricula available to technical schools for use in the classroom.
The first curriculum, titled ‘Introduction to Outboard Systems’ (ITOS), includes textbook materials and hands-on learning experiences for students who wish to start a career as a marine industry technician. Students who successfully complete the course receive Yamaha Marine’s Introduction to Outboard Systems Certification.
ITOS is a pre-requisite for Yamaha’s new Maintenance Certification Program (MCP), which is based on the 20, 100, 300, 500 and 1,000 maintenance procedures for Yamaha Outboards. MCP students will leave the Yamaha Technical School Partner with certified maintenance competencies that prepare them to be immediately profitable in Yamaha dealership service departments. Yamaha dealerships can take them on as apprentices or full-time technicians to help them continue to develop their skills.
Yamaha US Marine Business Unit, based in Kennesaw, Georgia, markets and sells marine outboard motors from 2.5hp-425hp. It also markets and sells fiberglass, jet-drive sport boats from 19ft-27ft, and personal watercraft.
The unit includes manufacturing divisions of Yamaha Marine Systems Co Inc, including Kracor of Milwaukee (rotational moulding), Bennett Marine of Deerfield Beach, Florida (trim tabs), and Yamaha Marine Precision Propellers of Indianapolis (stainless steel propellers).
