Boat mechanic jobs out the door

[walleye_chaser]

I was planning on heading down to florida for MMI (marine mechanics insitituion) in march, well my dad called the other day telling me that there was a huge layoff of boat mechanics or somthing or another. Can anyone clear up this rumor becuase it might just be another one of my dads ploys to lure me back into the oil field. What is the result if i did go down to florida and got my degree as a certified boat mechanic?

 

[V8nuts]

Re: Boat mechanic jobs out the door

Well I graduated from MMI many years ago and have been working in the PWC and jet boat industry ever since. I had a great time at MMI and owe where I am today because of it. Yes it is slow right now but I say go there and after wiggle your way into a spot somewhere. It might be a little harder to get a job but jobs are still out there. We are very busy selling jet boats and watercraft it is really keeping us afloat(no phun intended) . Rich folk still go boating no matter what the economy does... good luck let me know if you have any questions I will be glad to help out..

MMI class of 94
#2 in overall scores

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boat mechanic jobs out the door

if you want to work in the marine field. go to the school, it is much easier to get a job, with the education. you will either have to have that, or go thru one of the nearly impossible to get into Mfgr's training courses. even after MMI, a dealer may want to sponsor you into the Mfgr's courses.

all else fail, then you can go to the oil field.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Boat mechanic jobs out the door

Your father is correct, every part of the marine industry has experienced massive layoffs, does that mean you shouldn't go to MMI... no. As the economy starts to turn around some jobs will return and your timing may be good to enter the market at an entry level job.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Boat mechanic jobs out the door

GO for it. Never let anyone talk you out of furthering your education. If its what YOU want to do, then do it... Now if you wanted to go to school to learn how to fix 8 track players, then I would stick with the oil fields...

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Boat mechanic jobs out the door

There is another thing that will work in your favor.

As the new generation of outboards become more difficult to work on, there will be a tremendous number of old school mechanics that won't return to the industry when it starts to come back. They will need to go back to school for more training and most won't do it.

I know several small shops that couldn't work on the new stuff and have just sort of faded away.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Boat mechanic jobs out the door

If I had the time and money I'd love to go to that school just to learn about these motors. Go for it and good luck to you!

 

[SKIBUM1M]

Re: Boat mechanic jobs out the door

Robert if you want to learn the motors you dont need a school or money to learn, just get a good manual and read it cover to cover. You just dont get a piece of paper at the end that tells others that you know what you are doing. Knowlege is free, proof of it is what costs money.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Boat mechanic jobs out the door

"You just dont get a piece of paper at the end that tells others that you know what you are doing. Knowlege is free, proof of it is what costs money."

Yeah, the problem is that if you're talking someone into hiring you, proof really helps. If you find a certain type of company with a qualified mechanic who's also a good people person running it, he'll be able to judge your knowledge by talking to you.

But nowadays most businesses (and they are businesses) will ask to see proof. You may think it's silly, but there's a large dollar value associated with that silly piece of paper.

You don't need the paper to have the knowledge, but not having it will make it harder to get a job.

The world is imperfect that way

Erik

 

[SKIBUM1M]

Re: Boat mechanic jobs out the door

I completely agree erik. But I was just reftering to Robert who sounded like he just wanted to learn the new engines for personal knowlege. I know the world values that piece of paper. I went to school for english where alot of people went for engineering. I know more about engines, cars, and making things work than 90% of the people who graduated mechanical engineering but they could do the math to get a degree.

 

[kaferhaus]

Re: Boat mechanic jobs out the door

I completely agree erik. But I was just reftering to Robert who sounded like he just wanted to learn the new engines for personal knowlege. I know the world values that piece of paper. I went to school for english where alot of people went for engineering. I know more about engines, cars, and making things work than 90% of the people who graduated mechanical engineering but they could do the math to get a degree.

They also have a much easier time getting a job....

Although it's certainly possible to get a good job without formal training especially if it's "local" and folks know you.

I'm a mechanical engineer, PE with a masters, but I still ask plenty of questions of the guys in the machine shop and maintenance shop when I'm designing a new piece of equipment or updating a existing machine.

What's easy for me to design may be a nightmare to either produce or maintain. None of those guys are paper engineers.... nor are any of them capable of designing complex manufacturing machinery. But they're excellent at doing their job if I don't make it harder than it needs to be.

A piece of paper doesn't mean you're competent. It only means you took a requisite amount of study and passed some tests. It goes give a potential employer a starting point lacking any actual history or experience that can be verified.

We do NOT hire guys right out of trade school unless we're desperate for help. I would surmise that most businesses are the same way. So once the boating industry gets back on it's feet I wouldn't get my hopes up that experienced mechanics are going to be passed over for jobs in favor of some guy just out of trade school.

Now if two guys apply for a job, both with experience and only one with the trade school background.... most likely the guy with the paper is going to get the job.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Boat mechanic jobs out the door

I have a manual for my motor and I study it a lot but it ain't the same as being in a classroom with an instructor and motors and test equipment, etc. I wish somebody like Rodbolt would think about giving a maybe 1 or 2 day class on these motors for maybe $200/student to teach hard heads like myself some of the basics. He could get rich and we could all learn something! Good Luck!