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What is the Marine Mechanics & Powersports program?
This program is a two-year course that is offered two periods per day. Students learn a variety of mechanical skills from using basic tools to working on intricate electrical systems.
What kind of certification do students gain in this program?
 Students learn numerous skills and are able to earn college credits toward the Marine Mechanics Institute. Certificates of completion for Yamaha outboards, Mercury outboards, Evinrude outboards, along with forklift certifications and Indiana boater’s education are all available for students to earn.
What is the job market like for students who complete this program?
The Marine Mechanic and Powersports job market is in need of technicians, and employers are actively pursuing students specifically from our program. After completing this program, students may pursue careers in the marine and power sports industry, such as working as technicians at marinas. This program is well-respected in the community.
What kinds of hands-on experiences are part of this program?
The entire program is based on hands-on experiences and real-life situations such as winterizing engines, diagnosing electrical problems and other maintenance. Second year students also do an embedded internship where they work at local marinas as entry-level technicians. Most of these positions are paid and give students even more real-life experiences.
What’s one great quality of this program?
 This learning environment is set up very similarly to a working marina that students would find in the community. Our new facility is equipped with the tools and machines that students would find in the workplace. They learn about everything from writing work orders, to diagnosing problems, to working with customers.
Have students in this program had any outstanding accomplishments?
We have had students attend colleges in the industry and even receive awards for Student of the Month while there. Numerous graduates from this program are currently working in this industry.
Who can I contact for more information on this program?
Derrick Fisher, who leads this program at Wawasee High School, attended a marine mechanics program in high school and obtained a certification in marine mechanics from the Marine Mechanics Institute in Orlando, Florida. After working in marinas as a technician for seven years, he obtained his teaching certification while starting this program at Wawasee. His email is dfisher@wawasee.k12.in.us.
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Each year, more than 700 students from Whitley County Consolidated Schools, Wawasee Community Schools and Fairfield Community Schools enroll in courses ranging from automotive technology to cosmetology and from culinary arts to fire rescue. In this and subsequent eNewsletters, we want to update parents, students and community members on particular PATHWAYS programs, share positive news and celebrate our students’ successes. Below you can read about two of our programs — Marine Trades and Veterinary Tech — and get a bird’s-eye view of the great things that are happening in our buildings. 
Each student we serve experiences a vibrant environment where they can master new knowledge, tap their creativity and explore their potential. I am confident that career and technical education works. It works for students, it works for businesses, and — most importantly — it works for our communities!
