Partly cloudy early then heavy thunderstorms this afternoon. High 88F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 73F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Maitais Rogers removes the spark plugs of a Yamaha outboard engine Tuesday, Jan. 25, while beginning the process of performing a compression check. The mechanic was recently recognized by Yamaha for his outstanding work in outboard motor mechanics.

Maitais Rogers, right, works on diagnosing an outboard engine with Apopka Marine service manager Greg Hughes Tuesday, Jan. 25, in the service bay of the marine dealership in Inverness.

Maitais Rogers performs a compression check on an outboard engine Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Apopka Marine in Inverness.

Yamaha Senior District Service Manager for West Florida Kerry Schroeder, left, and Apopka Marine owner Joe Bega, right, present Apopka Marine Service Manager Greg Hughes, center left, and Maitias Rogers, center right, with plaques to recognize their recent accomplishments with the company.

Maitais Rogers removes the spark plugs of a Yamaha outboard engine Tuesday, Jan. 25, while beginning the process of performing a compression check. The mechanic was recently recognized by Yamaha for his outstanding work in outboard motor mechanics.

Since 1972, Apopka Marine has been serving Inverness and the surrounding areas of Citrus County. For the last two years, the dealership has participated in the Yamaha Marine Apprentice Program (YMAP).

The program allows dealerships to pair their experienced marine technicians with an apprentice. Using a structured program and curriculum provided by Yamaha, the apprenticeship is complete after approximately 4,000 hours (two years) of work.

“I was one of the first people in Florida to start the course,” YMAP graduate Maitias Rogers said.

Rogers, 23, said Apopka Marine owner Joe Bega encouraged him to join the program. “I was washing boats here originally,” Rogers said. When Bega asked if he wanted to become a technician, he gave it a shot.

In October, Rogers graduated from YMAP and continues to work at Apopka Marine. “I plan on staying here a while,” he said. “I have a lot of fun working here.”

The apprenticeship allowed Rogers to simultaneously work, learn and log hours toward YMAP, all under the guidance of Bega and Apopka Marine service manager and master technician Greg Hughes.

Maitais Rogers, right, works on diagnosing an outboard engine with Apopka Marine service manager Greg Hughes Tuesday, Jan. 25, in the service bay of the marine dealership in Inverness.

“He came to us with no experience whatsoever,” Bega said. “Maitias is just a fine young man that’s come along and showed an interest.”

On Tuesday morning, Rogers was diagnosing an onboard engine with a computer. “He’ll hook up to the motor and retrieve any codes or error codes,” Bega said.

Then, Rogers consults with the other technicians and come up with a game plan. “Everybody works together here,” Bega added.

Rogers progressed through Yamaha’s official curriculum, which includes skill development on outboard-motor technician career skills, maintenance, outboard rigging, trailers, outboard fuel systems, outboard powerhead components and operation, outboard lower units, outboard trim and tilt units, outboard electrical systems and troubleshooting.

Maitais Rogers performs a compression check on an outboard engine Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Apopka Marine in Inverness.

Although the curriculum is structured, it’s not set in stone. “Every day is different,” Rogers said.

“They can go in any order they want to,” Yamaha Marine senior district service manager Kerry Schroeder said.

In addition, relevant items can be added to the curriculum and count toward the program hours. Since YMAP began four years ago, Schroeder said Yamaha has been working to make it a better and easier experience for the mentor and apprentice.

For Yamaha, the need for the program was clear. The number one problem dealerships run into is lack of technicians, according to Schroeder. Finally, Yamaha division manager Joe Maniscalco decided to start making them.

“We have to make technicians – that’s our mission,” Schroeder said. “We get involved with the apprentice program and then we stay with them as they grow.”

Yamaha Senior District Service Manager for West Florida Kerry Schroeder, left, and Apopka Marine owner Joe Bega, right, present Apopka Marine Service Manager Greg Hughes, center left, and Maitias Rogers, center right, with plaques to recognize their recent accomplishments with the company.

Rogers said since he’s been working at Apopka Marine, he’s constantly being pushed to do better. “Working around the right people really puts you in a good situation to learn.”

And as for Bega, “We’re ready for another apprentice to come along.”

For more information, about YMAP at Apopka Marine, stop by the shop, located at 3260 E. Gulf-to-Lake Highway in Inverness. Any local dealerships who would like to request information on YMAP should call Schroeder at 770-420-5873 and leave a voicemail.

Hannah Sachewicz can be reached at hannah.sachewicz@chronicleonline.com or 352-564-2929.

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