The Marine Industries Association of South Florida announced that its third Yacht Service Technician Apprenticeship program began in early January with 23 students, a 35 percent increase in enrollees.
The two-year program is a cooperative effort between MIASF, the Florida Department of Education and Atlantic Technical College. It aims to provide enrollees with a basic set of boatyard skills to give them a head start in securing jobs in the industry.
“The program is an excellent way to introduce new people to our industry, connect them with participating companies, and help create and fill new jobs with highly skilled graduates of the two-year program,” MIASF vice president Lori Wheeler said in a statement.
A new instructor, Bruce Evangelista, this year teaches the program. He is the hydraulics group manager at High Seas Hydraulics.
“I’m involved with this program because I want to share my expertise with the next generation of marine industry workers,” Evangelista said in the statement. “During my 39 years in the South Florida marine industry, I’ve seen first-hand how the industry has grown and where it is poised to go in the future. I want to be part of ensuring our future workers have the necessary skills to provide the best service possible.”
