University, AVTEC sign maritime training agreement with Yamaha Motor Corporation
Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit and the Alaska Maritime Education Consortium (AMEC) signed a Yamaha Marine Training Program Agreement under Yamaha鈥檚 Technical School Partnership Program. This Agreement will establish a comprehensive Yamaha marine technical training program throughout the state, specifically in remote regions.
Governor Mike Dunleavy, Dr. Tamika L. Ledbetter, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and University of Alaska President Pat Pitney signed the Training Program Agreement during the 2022 Kenai Classic, establishing an infrastructure for Yamaha Marine products training across the state.
Under the Agreement, Yamaha will provide training curricula and will train the trainers for the program. In addition, Yamaha will allow AMEC to acquire materials at or below cost, including outboard motors and tools. Yamaha will also train the trainers.
The maritime business in Alaska includes 34,000 miles of coastline that produces more than 60 percent of the nation鈥檚 seafood harvest and generates millions of dollars for the state鈥檚 economy. Many Alaskan communities depend on a skilled workforce to service the boats and outboards that fuel a healthy, sustainable marine industry.
The Alaska Maritime Education Consortium (AMEC) is a partnership between The University of Alaska (UA) and the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC). The mission of the AMEC is to 鈥渃ollaborate to prepare Alaskans for and that will support and strengthen the maritime workforce鈥 by combining efforts to provide maritime training and education across the state. These careers align with the priority occupations in boat and ship building, vessel repair and maintenance, port maintenance, and vessel operations identified in the .