Gateway’s Resource, Education And Training (GREAT) Center is offering a new 36-hour program in Small Engine Repair & Technology. The program consists of three intensive workshops designed to provide classroom and hands-on training to identify problems and make repairs on a variety of small types of engines.
 
For those with formal training in small engine repair, the employment outlook is particularly bright. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s latest Occupational Outlook Handbook, the field of small engine mechanics will see a 21 percent increase in job growth between now and 2020. Recent stories in the media also point to the explosive growth in sales of generators, snow blowers, riding lawn mowers, home-garden tractors and all kinds of motorized outdoor equipment, all of which will need a trained mechanic for upkeep and repair. This program is particularly suited to those who are handy and enjoy working with small machines, and want to start a new career or small business.
 
The GREAT Center’s program in Small Engine Repair & Technology runs on Thursdays and Fridays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., from May 16 through June 14, on GCC’s Long Wharf Campus at 60 Sargent Drive in New Haven.

At the end of the session, students can choose to take the test for Equipment and Engineering Training Council (EETC) Certification in three types of small engine repair.  Testing will take place on the tenth day.

The course outline is as follows:

Small Engine Technology 1 – The Basics: safety, tools, fuel, chemicals, starting and charging the equipment.
 
Small Engine Technology 2 - Principles of  Operation: classroom and hands-on training in inspection, disassembly, reconditioning, preventive maintenance and troubleshooting.
 
Small Engine Technology 3 – Equipment classroom and hands-on training on a variety of machines including lawn equipment, tractors, snow throwers, personal watercraft and generators as well as transmission drive systems.
 
The total cost of the program is $2,500 and includes a tool kit, texts and selected manuals. A payment plan is available for this program. For more information or to register call 203-285-2309.