The Alaska Maritime Education Consortium (AMEC) and Yamaha Motor Corporation announced a partnership to expand maritime training in Alaska. The University of Alaska, Alaska Vocational Education Center (AVTEC) and Yamaha signed a contract Wednesday at Kenai Peninsula College. The agreement was signed by University of Alaska President Pat Pitney, Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Dr. Tamika Ledbetter, Governor Mike Dunleavy, and Yamaha U.S. Maritime Business President Ben Speciale.
Dr. Ledbetter explains the partnership to KSRM:
“This agreement actually is a public/private partnership between AMEC, of course, and that includes the University of Alaska in addition to AVTEC and then Yamaha Motor Corporation. It’s been a longtime coming and anytime you have a private/public partnership, great things can happen. I’m very excited about the work that has already been done and I’m looking forward to the training opportunities to train up individuals in diesel mechanics so they can go forth in today’s workforce.”
Speciale said:
“We’re very excited what Alaska is doing working with us to come together with doing more technical training, especially in the marine sector. Alaska’s got almost like a lighthouse view of how to work with companies. This technical training is desperately needed for the marine environment, but it’s also needed for the local communities and stuff to have more technicians out in the field. My background has been growing up on the marine side of the business and being a mechanic as a very young kid and growing up into my position, we know the importance of it and we see the importance of it and we’d like to see it continue to grow and I think Alaska stepping up to this level with us working together as a partnership is very, very exciting.”
The partnership will make available Yamaha training curriculum and will allow AMEC to acquire training materials at or below cost, including engines and tools. Yamaha also will train the trainers.
Governor Dunleavy added:
“Having this partnership, I think, is going to be terrific for Alaskans, it’s going to help with jobs. It’s going to help keep people safe as well in servicing the equipment. I just want to thank you for investing in Alaska. I am just looking forward to hearing about more and more individuals train to be able to service these engines and the equipment.”
This agreement will establish a comprehensive Yamaha marine technical training program throughout the state, specifically in remote regions.