The powersports industry in New Hampshire is growing exponentially. Demand for machines has skyrocketed and many powersports dealers have found that they can’t keep new products from flying off of the shelves. The booming industry means that there is a high need for powersports technicians and Manchester Community College is up to the task with its brand-new Powersports Technician Certificate Program.
Manchester Community College held a Grand Opening ceremony on Wednesday, July 21st, for its brand-new Powersports program. The ceremony was an amazing opportunity to acknowledge all who played essential roles in creating and executing the state-of-the-art program.
Today’s Powersports technicians need high-level skills and knowledge to diagnose and service increasingly complex systems. The evolution from yesterday’s mechanic to today’s skilled technician requires competence with highly sophisticated systems, as well as with the traditional mechanical areas. MCC’s Powersports program aims to fill that need in the industry.
The program, which successfully completed its first year, provides a platform for students to take a deep dive into the workings of motor vehicles that you don’t see on the road. Whether it be side-by-sides, motorcycles, or jet skis, graduates of the program will be prepared to succeed as a technician in a high-tech and increasingly complex career.
Many industry professionals who helped make this program a success were in attendance:
Dr. Brian Bicknell (President MCC)
Dr. Adriane Leche (VP Academic Affairs MCC)
Marc Bellerose (Automotive Technologies Department Chair)
Todd Mikonis (PowerSports Instructor/Coordinator MCC)
Yvonne MacGilvray (Assistant to VP MCC)
George Mullin (Souhegan Valley Motorsports)
Scott Mullin (Souhegan Valley Motorsports)
Sean Mullin (Souhegan Valley Motorsports)
Jim Whalley (HK Powersports)
Ryan Dikdan (MOM’s)
Brian Wheeler (MOM’s)
Brian Fugate (Kawasaki)
Casey Sadler (Kawasaki)
Notable professionals that weren’t able to attend:
Joe Sabolevski (Troy Powersports)
Andy Galliher (Freedom Cycle)
Kit Doty (Profile Powersports)
Industry Involvement
There were many moving parts to make the powersports program a success. This January, Kawasaki donated an estimated $340,000 worth of equipment to the brand-new program. The generous donation included multiple motors, three side x sides, six motorcycles, and three jet skis. This top-of-the-line equipment is a great asset to the program and will help prepare students for careers in this growing industry.
George Mullin, Owner of Souhegan Valley Motorsports, and a Director on the NHADA Education Foundation Board, played an integral part in connecting Kawasaki representatives with the college and delivering the equipment. Brian Fugate, Field Service Manager of Kawasaki, has been a huge help in making this happen and will continue to provide support and resources to the new program.
If you or someone you know is interested in Powersports and would like to turn it into a career, there is still time to register for the Fall!
Click the button below to register.
