| Jet skis. Chain saws. Motorcycles. Lawn mowers. | | | | systems, fuel systems, trim and tilt, and hull design. |
| Portable generators. Snow blowers. Everywhere you | | | | Students are given hands-on training with diagnostic, |
| look there are small engines that power tools and | | | | repair, and maintenance equipment. Many programs |
| vehicles. These engines have one thing in common: | | | | include information on the business skills needed to |
| sooner or later, they all need maintenance and repair. | | | | own and operate a maintenance shop or dealership. |
| From recreational vehicles such as motorboats to | | | | Once the basic theory and technology section of the |
| power tools including leaf blowers, small internal | | | | program is completed, students often progress to |
| combustion engines are in daily use in America. If you | | | | manufacturer-sponsored courses, such as Marine |
| love working with your hands, don't mind a little grease, | | | | Honda, Marine Volvo Penta, Marine Suzuki, Mercury |
| and enjoy making things work properly, then a career | | | | MercTech, or Marine Yamaha. The goal is to give the |
| as a small engine mechanic may be just for you. | | | | graduate the skills and experience needed to begin a |
| Given the fact that there are hundreds of different | | | | career as an entry-level marine technician. |
| types of small engines in use, most mechanics and | | | | How are the job prospects? According to the Bureau |
| technicians specialize. The neighborhood shop owner | | | | of Labor Statistics, during the current decade from |
| who fixes your lawn mower isn't going to repair your | | | | 2008 to 2018, job prospects should be excellent for |
| jet ski. The mechanic who tunes up your Harley is | | | | people who complete formal training programs. That's |
| probably not going to be able to service your Yahama | | | | good news! During the current decade, the number of |
| outboard marine motor. This is because the mechanics | | | | retired persons will increase, and they have the leisure |
| and technicians of today often use computer | | | | time and income to spend on recreational equipment |
| diagnostics and other sophisticated instruments, and | | | | such as motorcycles and motorboats. The steady |
| often receive training from a manufacturer or a | | | | increase in the population of America's coastal and |
| certified technical school. | | | | lake regions should increase motorboat use, and the |
| Training Is Important. Check out what the U.S. | | | | popularity of motorcycles among both young people |
| Government's Bureau of Labor Statistics says: "Due to | | | | and retirees will contribute to rising motorcycle sales. |
| the increasing complexity of motorcycles and | | | | Boats, motorcycles, jet skis, and more-there are millions |
| motorboats, employers prefer to hire mechanics who | | | | of tools and vehicles in America that use small engines, |
| have graduated from formal training programs." Most | | | | and the number is expected to increase. Sounds like a |
| motorcycle and motorboat mechanics work for | | | | pretty good career choice for the right person. |
| authorized dealerships, and specialize in the brand sold | | | | How do you look for a training program? The fastest |
| by the dealer. They must often complete a | | | | way to get started is to log onto a reputable college |
| manufacturer-authorized training program, and may | | | | directory website. You can search for programs using |
| even be sent for yearly refresher courses to expand | | | | keywords such as "motorcycle mechanics" or |
| their knowledge and keep up with new products. | | | | "California technical schools." You can read about the |
| Where to get training? A wide variety of technical | | | | career schools that meet your criteria. Don't forget to |
| schools offer dealer-authorized training programs. For | | | | check out online or hybrid (online and on-campus) |
| example, let's say you want to pursue marine | | | | programs. Then you can request free information from |
| mechanics. A typical training program might last 60 | | | | the schools that meet your criteria. Compare |
| weeks. Generally, a program is in two parts. The first | | | | programs, schedules, financial aid, and job placement |
| part offers basic training in a wide variety of areas. | | | | services. Then apply to the schools that are right for |
| Topics covered could include two- and four-stroke | | | | you. In less time than you think you could be training for |
| engines, outboard engines, stern drive engines, electrical | | | | a rewarding new career. |