The Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit and the Alaska Maritime Education Consortium today entered into a Marine Training Program Agreement under Yamaha’s Technical School Partnership Program. The agreement will establish Yamaha technical training throughout Alaska, including remote areas of the state.
Yamaha will provide curricula and train educators in the program, as well as allow AMEC to acquire materials at or below cost, including outboards and tools. AMEC is a partnership between the University of Alaska and the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Alaska Vocational Technical Center.
“This program is now a reality thanks to the efforts of the late Congressman Don Young, who originally brought the need for more technicians in remote areas to our attention,” Ben Speciale, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit president, said in a statement. “He inspired us to improve our level of service to customers in Alaska and encouraged us to redouble our efforts to train technicians.”
Yamaha said Alaska’s marine businesses are spread along 34,000 miles of coastline and produce more than 60 percent of the nation’s seafood harvest, generating millions of dollars for the state’s economy.
“Alaska has more coastline than all of other 49 states combined, making the maritime sector one of the great growth industries in our state,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy said. “I look forward to Alaskans reaping the benefits of this unique partnership with Yamaha.”
