Mercury Marine Donates Curriculum and Tools to High Schools

Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation, has provided its Mercury University curriculum, along with 90hp FourStroke outboard engines and tools, to high schools in Florida, New York, and Virginia to help prepare the next generation of marine service technicians and address the industry’s workforce shortage.

In a survey conducted by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas prior to the pandemic, more than 85% of boat dealers suggested they had multiple positions in their businesses that were unfilled, and in total, marine dealerships across the United States had more than 31,000 unfilled positions due to workforce shortages. The pandemic has only exacerbated these shortages.

As part of Mercury’s Marine Systems Technician curriculum, students learn to diagnose malfunctions, prepare repair estimates and work orders, and repair or replace parts as specified by manufacturers. Each school also received a $50,000 engine and tool package containing the latest Mercury SmartCraft® technology along with the diagnostic tools needed to teach proper diagnostics and repair procedures.

The partnership includes the following schools:

• Pasco County Schools/Fred K. Marchman Technical College in New Port Richey, Fla.
• Richard O. Jacobson Technical High School in Seminole, Fla.
• Boards of Cooperative Educational Services of New York State
• Northern Neck Technical Center in Warsaw, Virginia

Mercury will also offer a scholarship for high school students wishing to continue their education in marine technology at post-secondary education schools.