Jan 24, 2016

Boating BC Association is pleased to announce a new scholarship fund to support the ongoing need for qualified technicians in the recreational marine industry. The implementation of the scholarship fund will directly impact individuals pursuing jobs within the recreational marine industry, in turn benefiting the local economy.

“We have a real shortage of qualified technicians in BC,” says Boating BC President, Don Prittie. “The boating industry is a tremendous economic driver in this province, and we need to ensure that there are qualified technicians available to support our growth and help sustain the industry.”

 The fund is an industry initiative with contributing partners from the marine propulsion sector including: BRP/Evinrude, Honda Marine, Yamaha, Volvo Penta, Mercury Marine and Yanmar/Land Sea Power.

Initial funds will support the Glenn Spartz Scholarship, which will offer financial aid to students pursuing their Marine Mechanical Technician Apprenticeship (MMT) offered at BCIT’s new Marine Campus on Annacis Island. An MMT installs, troubleshoots, repairs and maintains engines, drive trains and other mechanical, electrical and fluid systems used in the recreational marine industry. With endorsements, this work involves all aspects of repairs to diesel engines, gasoline engines, outboard engines, conventional inboard drive trains and stem drives.

“The opportunities are truly endless in this field,” says Prittie “We need to increase awareness of these opportunities and inform recent grads and those interested in the industry that these positions are both feasible and secure, allowing for a great lifestyle.”

The Glenn Spartz Scholarship is named in honour of a former Boating BC board member who was instrumental in establishing the MMT program. The association expects to announce details of the scholarship this spring and publish a call for applicants in time for the October 2016 MMT intake at BCIT.