Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College has, for the second consecutive year, been awarded a $3,000 scholarship to train students for technical careers in the marine industry. Presented by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Educational Foundation, the scholarship was announced during an awards breakfast taking place in conjunction with the annual Marine Dealer Conference and Expo (MDCE) in Orlando.  

“Cultivating the next generation of marine technicians represents one of the foundation’s key missions,” Liz Walz, MRAA vice president and executive director of the MRAA Educational Foundation, said. “We understand the importance of recruiting and training skilled team members, and this scholarship illustrates one of the ways we are working to support our members.”

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College offers a three-semester technical training program concentrating on the repair and maintenance of outboard motors, inboard/sterndrive engines and boat systems. The program has been running strong for 23 years and currently staffed by a pair of veteran instructors. Tim Edwards teaches first semester students the basics, and Todd Larson teaches second and third semester students more in-depth subjects such as trouble shooting, advanced electronic systems and out-drive repair.

“We have a good inventory of engines that are up to date with the industry’s current technology, and we use common industry diagnostic software to train on those engines,” the instructors wrote in their scholarship application. “The program is designed to be very project centered — all lectures are backed up by extensive, hands-on projects.”

The college’s close proximity to Lake Superior gives students the chance to frequently use the water for boat testing during the spring and fall semesters, and classes are often conducted outdoors whenever weather permits. Wisconsin Indian Head Technical College additionally offers a one-semester Advanced Certificate Course, where students can continue their education and hone skills of their choice — from major systems repair to advanced diagnostics.

Furthermore, the curriculum makes a point of having students work with local marine businesses to provide real-world experience. Wisconsin Indianhead is a member of the American Boat & Yacht Council and Association of Marine Technicians, and its program graduates between 11 and 20 students each year.

The MRAA Technical Scholarship Fund was founded to offer financial assistance for technical training of dealership personnel and was initially underwritten by the OMC Foundation. Any educational institution that provides recreational marine industry technical training is eligible to apply.

About MRAA Educational Foundation

As part of its mission to create a strong and healthy boating industry, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is committed to offering training, education and professional development opportunities to its members and the entire marine dealer community. In 2004, the association launched the MRAA Educational Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 corporation, to provide financial support for education, training and professional development in the recreational marine trades. For more information, visit MRAA.com/foundation.