Certificate in Marine and Powersports Technician

Red River College

Previously called Outdoor Power Equipment Technician. This program provides you with strong foundational skills and professional knowledge required as an entry-level technician in the Marine and Powersports industry. After graduating from the Marine and Powersports Technician program you will be prepared to enter an apprenticeship or entry-level position within the industry.

Potential employment opportunities include dealerships, rental agencies, construction companies, marinas, outfitter camps, golf courses, government agencies, and standalone repair facilities.
As a graduate, you will be able to service and repair common types of Marine and Powersports equipment including:
• Motorcycles
• Snowmobiles
• All Terrain Vehicles
• Side by Side Vehicles
• Outboard Motors
• Stern Drives
• Personal Watercraft
• Lawn and Garden Equipment

Training includes professional shop practices, precision measuring, preventative maintenance, diagnostic procedures, and repair procedures. Topics of study include safety, tools, engines, fuel systems, electrical systems, seasonal storage, new vehicle prep, performance, and tuning.
The Marine and Powersports Technician Program would like to recognize the manufacturers who make equipment, technical information, and training available to the program. The support from Yamaha and Polaris enables RRC to offer up to date training on modern equipment.
Students also have an option to receive an endorsement from the Yamaha's Technical Academy and the University of Polaris. The endorsement course available through the program is the Bronze Level course. To successfully complete the Bronze course, the student must pass online tests. These endorsements will help students with employment opportunities.

Training will take place at RRC’s Vehicle Technology and Research Centre, an environment that will give you the practical experience required for industry employment. You will also have the opportunity to acquire industry work experience as part of this program.

This is a not an apprenticeship program, but may provide credit transfer opportunities towards apprenticeship. The Government of Manitoba, Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade offers apprenticeship training that combines on-the-job practical skills development with levels of technical training.

Who Should Enrol?
Are you interested in motorcycles, snowmobiles, side by sides, personal watercraft, or boats? If you are, then this is the course for you! If you want to jump start your career or work on your own toys, this course will provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. This course serves as a foundation for not only technicians, but service advisors and parts personnel too!
Marine and Powersports Technician work requires good hearing and eyesight, good physical coordination of the whole body, and some strength. You should enjoy working with your hands. Because the work can be intricate, you should have good finger dexterity and be mechanically inclined.
You will need a tolerance for working with grease and oil, and for exposure to various levels of exhaust fumes, dust, and dirt. Reading comprehension as well as oral and written communication is important to successfully complete the program.

Employment Potential

Graduates of this program have found employment in dealerships, rental agencies, construction companies, marinas, outfitter camps, golf courses, government agencies, and standalone repair facilities.

Graduates who have entered apprenticeship programs and reached the journeyperson level work as:

Journeyperson Technicians, Shop Foremans, Service Advisors, Service Managers, Parts Advisors, Parts Managers, Technical Specialists, Manufacturer Representatives.