South Florida Intercoastal

Yacht Service Technician Apprenticeship Program Report

By: MIASF Staff

Date posted: May 25, 2021 Tue

Apprentices in the Yacht Service Technician Apprenticeship Program (YSTAP) had a productive month of classes.  Our class of 2021 finished up the Pumps, Plumbing, and Pipe Fitter Module and are preparing for the plumbing final exam prior to moving into the carpentry module.  Atlantic Technical College is providing MIASF apprentices a veteran woodworking professor to work with them in a state-of-the-art woodworking shop to create a couple of projects that teach basic carpentry skills.  Class topics include identifying and selecting proper marine carpentry materials, hardware identification and adjustment, hand and power tools, basic carpentry calculations, project planning combined with classroom labs, and more.

MIASF’s newest group, the Class Of 2022 is moving right along.  During the month of May the apprentices spent the first three weeks finishing up on the Employability Module classes which teach multiple aspects of professional development related to today’s busy marine industry.  Two amazing speakers presented to the class. First, we had Vicki Abernathy from AERÉ Marine Group returning for another year.  Vicki discussed hiring and interviewing techniques as well as her always inspirational story of how she and her husband Gary got their start.  Next, we had Katie Hagen from FHG Marine Engineering come and present on her vast experience in working in a multicultural business environment which included a body language / communication exercise that really got the class engaged and aware. Lastly, this week we begin the Heavy Lifting Module which began with Crosby Rigging Certifications training from Leo Marquis returning courtesy of Crosby Rigging.  June classes will expand into additional rigging concepts as we move through the class material.

Great News! We added Aquamare in Lauderdale Marine Center to our growing list of sponsoring companies. As a reminder, there is no cost to our sponsoring member partners and the benefits are numerous so please reach to us for further details.  Our next class for YSTAP begins in January and we are looking to add more businesses and apprentices for our upcoming class.  For more information on how to become a participating employer or an apprentice, please contact MIASF directly or our program coordinator & instructor Jon Lowell at Jonathananthony.Lowell@browardschools.com.