
Students will disassemble,
measure, and reassemble a two-stroke hand-held and
four-stroke lawn and garden-type engine. Shop Safety will
include the use of jacks and hoists, power tools, hand
tools, and electrical safety. Electrical survival skills
and engine systems including starting, charging, ignition,
lubrication, and cooling system theory and service are
included in the first-year curriculum. Second-year
students’ learning focuses on marine mechanics,
motorcycles, lawn and garden equipment, compact diesel
equipment, and hydraulic equipment. Co-op is an integral
part of the second-year curriculum. There is a critical
shortage of qualified technicians in marine and outdoor
power equipment areas. Students typically work in lawn
mower shops, marinas, forklift companies, rental
contractors, motorcycle shops, golf courses, and equipment
dealerships. Second-year students are encouraged to take
either the two-stroke or four-stroke OPE certification
exams. The program was recently evaluated by the Engine
Equipment Training Council. Program curriculum, facilities,
budget, placement, equipment/tools, training aids,
instructor credentials/qualifications, and reference
materials were all reviewed. Upon completion of the review,
the program was granted accreditation for electrical and
two- and four-stroke cycle engines - the first such
accreditation in the state. This program is one of only 40
programs in the United States accredited by major
manufacturers of outdoor power equipment.