Mercury Racing is excited to share it has awarded two scholarships for technical training in a new partnership with Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS) of Cedarville, Michigan. The Mercury Racing Marine Technician Scholarship will benefit students enrolled in the school’s Marine Service Technology Program (MST), with each scholarship providing $1,500 toward tuition.
The first scholarships were awarded by the GLBBS Scholarship Committee to students Brody Clifford and Delaney Huffman.
Huffman, 18, from East Jordan, Michigan, was considering a career in a high-performance automotive field. “But then I got a job at a marine dealer and realized that I was really interested in high-performance boats. It was a whole new industry I hadn't really considered before. I appreciate the support of Mercury Racing and look forward to graduating with the certifications and knowledge that will give me a head start in this field.”
GLBBS was established in 2005 and today is the only accredited boat building school in the state of Michigan. Graduates of the Marine Service Technology program are prepared to work in a wide range of marine fabrication and maintenance settings. GLBBS is a Mercury Marine University exclusive school. Through this partnership students receive a certificate from the Mercury M-Tech program and have the option to test for 4-Stroke Maintenance Certification. As an American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) designated Marine League School, students can also test for an ABYC Advisory certification, as well as other industry credentials.
“We are so grateful to our friends at Mercury Racing for their support of our students,” said Nikki Storey, Great Lakes Boat Building School President. “Both of the selected students are thrilled to have the backing and support of such a prominent leader in the marine industry. Creating these types of connections and making training affordable are two things that we strive to do here at GLBBS, and it would not be possible without the support of companies like Mercury Racing. We look forward to growing this partnership and seeing where this support takes these two wonderful students."
Recognizing the importance of supporting the next generation of marine technicians, Mercury Racing annually awards scholarships intended to support students pursuing a career in skilled trades.
“Skilled tradespeople form the backbone of our product support network through Mercury Racing authorized dealerships,” said Jeff Broman, Director, Mercury Racing. “Our customers can’t enjoy the Wide Open lifestyle without skilled technicians to rig and maintain Mercury Racing engines. Through our scholarship programs we are making an investment in the future of these students and in the future of the marine industry.”
Mercury Racing will continue to support GLBBS, as well as two additional scholarship programs in 2024. For the sixth year, Mercury Racing will issue the $5,000 Excellence in Trade Scholarship for a high school senior from the Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, area who is planning to pursue a skilled trade education. Mercury Racing will also fund two $1,500 Impact Institute Education Scholarships for high school students enrolled in the Marine Services Technology program at Impact Institute, a vocational career training center located in Kendallville, Indiana. As a program partner, Mercury Marine provides engines for testing, parts, and training materials. The annual Mercury Racing scholarships are available to high school/home school junior and senior students with good academic standing who live within the five-county area served by Impact Institute.
Applications and further information for the 2024 Mercury Racing Scholarship Programs will be posted in January 2024 at Mercury Racing/Scholarships.
