Without action, industry faces technician shortage

As the marine industry races into the 21st century, the new technology that is being incorporated in its engines is quite sophisticated. Today, marine engine manufacturers are spending millions of dollars in R&D, manufacturing and production while scrambling to meet the ramped-up EPA emission standards. With the new EPA compliant engines, outboard manufacturers using the latest in two-stroke direct Injection technology (DFI) and four-stroke outboards are becoming increasingly popular and complex.

With that said, the next important issue is to address the need for qualified marine engine technicians, individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to maintain these sophisticated engines properly. Unfortunately, the marine industry has not kept up in this area. Yes, the engine manufacturers have product training available to their authorized dealers. However, what about dealerships that are not "authorized" by the manufacturers, but still repair these engines?

Presently, there are some schools that offer marine technology programs, but each school operates on their own when it comes to establishing its program. In many cases, these schools get little or no support from the manufacturers. Most schools are not equipped to produce competent graduates that can meet the needs of desperate dealers. Many schools are eager to start a marine technician training program, but they have no template that specifies the marine industry's requirements. What's more, many existing marine technician training programs have stagnated, teaching outdated technology, with very little product, most of which is also outdated.

Time to establish minimum program standards

There are thousands of automotive technician training programs across the country. Nearly every high school, vo-tech, and community college, not to mention private institutions, has an automotive program. These programs have been developed, sponsored, encouraged, and supported by the automobile industry. The marine industry must likewise step forward and take the responsibility for developing education.

The Association of Marine Technicians (AMTECH) is currently working with the marine industry about establishing an initiative to foster new, as well as evaluate/accredit and support existing qualified marine technician training programs. This should include a start-up package, which contains a basic task list, instructor qualifications, and a list of tools and equipment required to start a new program.

This package can be made available to schools wishing to start a new, or improve an existing marine technician training program. There needs to be an effort made to demonstrate to schools that the marine industry has a great deal to offer individuals with a desire to pursue its career opportunities.

In order for a marine technician training program to be eligible to receive AMTECH program accreditation, it should pass a stringent evaluation.

Details of the evaluation should be developed by AMTECH and should include a self-evaluation conducted by the candidate school, followed by an on site evaluation conducted by a team designated as per AMTECH standards. The purpose of the evaluation will be to identify areas that are exemplary and those areas that require improvement, as measured against national standards of excellence, which should be established by representatives of the marine industry. Programs awarded AMTECH accreditation should be required to re-certify every five years, to insure the highest level of quality.

Excellent feeder program to factory training

Another advantage to accrediting schools is that graduating students entering the field would have the proper educational foundation from which product-specific factory training can be added.

Much of the experience marine technicians have gained in the past was from on-the-job-training. This approach is now failing miserably. As technology advances, so does the need for advanced education.

Who will fix these engines?

We presently have an aging workforce. Once this group of marine technicians is ready for retirement, who will fix the latest state-of-the-art engines? Our industry is putting millions of dollars in the development of marine engines, but it is putting very little, if any, money into developing the workforce that will be responsible to maintain these engines. Not only do we have to address the need for better education, but also, we have to make an effort to recruit new personnel into the career of marine technician.

Improve technician's career path

Is there any surprise that the marine industry is currently suffering from a shortage of qualified technicians? What has the industry done to make a career in marine technology attractive? The answer to that question is – Nothing! Why then are we surprised that most dealerships are having trouble finding technicians to service their customer's boats?

Unless we, as an industry, address this issue, we won't have the personnel available to maintain the engines we are asking our customers to purchase. This is one of the reasons the marine industry continually loses its customer base to other recreational industries.

We must be committed to servicing the customer in order to grow, and it starts with addressing the education and career issues for the personnel in our industry that have the biggest influence on our customer-the marine technician.

Les Barkley

Vice President

AMTECH