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MARINE TECHNICIAN TODAY
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WINTER 2014
Happy 2015 to all! As we begin this New Year, the outlook for the boating industry looks very
promising. It appears that even though the service part of our industry performed better than the
sales sector during the industry’s downturn, that service shops are taking a very conservative
approach to the improved outlook of the industry. As a result very few of you took advantage of our
training opportunities and for the first time in 22 years we had to cancel the National Marine Service
Expo. We also have noticed a reduction in the number of registrations for our MCTINA field training
classes. After speaking to a number of organizations who also provide training, they too have experienced a significant drop
in training registrations as well, so we are not alone in this respect. One of the biggest concerns we hear from technicians
about field training is the cost involved. Not only is there the cost of training, airfare and hotels, but also the cost due to lost
time in productivity while being away from the businesses. We understand this, but at the same time training is very critical
to the technician’s ability to repair complex engine and related marine systems.
As a result, AMTECH and MCTINA is exploring the possibility of developing online training programs to augment and replace
some of the classroom training portions of its training classes. This will allow students to obtain portions of the necessary
training at their convenience, and at their own pace. AMTECH then would create one day hands on final exams that can be
offered at a variety of locations requiring less travel for the students. They could be conducted at industry wide boating
tradeshow events such as, IBEX, MDCE and National Marine Service Expo, and at local technical colleges and trade schools.
This form of training will help all technicians gain the needed training on a much more cost-friendly basis. Over the next few
months we will keep our members abreast of these developments.
Due to increased costs of operation, the AMTECH Board of Directors has authorized an increase in the association’s annual
dues schedule. This is the first increase since AMTECH was established in 1999, and it is necessary to meet current
operational costs. In addition to the increase in dues, AMTECH has eliminated some levels and combined others. The
discount levels have also been adjusted to meet training costs. Effective January 1, 2015, as dues come up for renewal, the
annual dues are as follows.
Note: The training discount for each level is in parenthesis:
Individual Membership Levels
Students (10%)............................................................................................................................................................$75
Bronze (formerly Individual Basic - 10%)..................................................................................................................$125
Silver (20%)................................................................................................................................................................$175
Dealership and Business Membership Levels
Schools.......................................................................................................................................................................$100
MRAA Member Discount (10%)................................................................................................................................$250
Gold (formerly Business Basic and Gold -10%)........................................................................................................$300
Platinum (25%)..........................................................................................................................................................$500
Ambassador (50%).................................................................................................................................................$1,000
Manufacturer Membership Levels – (all mfg. levels at 10% training discount)
Basic...........................................................................................................................................................................$500
Bronze .....................................................................................................................................................................$1,000
Silver........................................................................................................................................................................$1,500
Gold..........................................................................................................................................................................$2,500
Platinum...................................................................................................................................................................$5,000
As a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax deductible association, MCTINA is also asking for donations to help improve the quality of
marine service industry-wide. Your generous donations are greatly appreciated and all donors will receive a tax-deductible
receipt that can be used for taxes.
Joseph J. De Marco
President/Executive Director
Todd Larson
Vice President
Wisconsin Indianhead
Technical College
David Eastwood
MCTINA Education Committee
Chairman
Carteret Community College
John Bernier
North Atlantic Marine Services
Matt Gruhn
Marine Retailers Association
of the Americas
Robert Hoard
Retired marine instructor Oakland Tech
and former Mercury Marine instructor
Art Johnson
WyoTech-Daytona
Conrad Kreuter
Moriches Boat & Motor
John Mosetti
Boats Unlimited Performance
Larry Porche
Brunswick Boat Group
Darren Ragsdale
Jasper Engine and Transmission
Richard Schneider
API Marine
Henry Schreiber
Master Tech Marine Services
Jarrett Young
Yamaha Motor Corp.
BOARDOF
DIRECTORS
,
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Changes on the Horizon
AMTECH is a nondiscriminatory
association open to all regardless of
race, religion, or national origin.
