Hands-On Training Across the Marine Industry at CFCC
From left to right: Landen Tarkington, Daniel Benson, Broc Overcash, and Josh Jernigan
Landen, Daniel, Broc, and Josh chose to expand their training by enrolling in CFCC’s Outboard Systems program, offered in partnership with Yamaha Marine University.
By gaining experience on both the structural and mechanical sides of the marine industry, they’re broadening their skill sets and preparing for a wider range of career opportunities.
Turning a Passion Into a Profession
Landen and Josh are both Wilmington natives and 2024 graduates of Ashley High School. Upon graduation, they immediately enrolled in CFCC’s Boat Manufacture and Service program.
“I grew up on the water,” Landen said. “I wanted to learn how to fix my boat myself, and then I kind of realized I wanted to turn that into a career.”
After completing the Boat Manufacture and Service program, both students decided to continue their training through CFCC’s Outboard Systems courses to learn more about the engines.
Originally from Raleigh, Daniel moved to Wilmington two years ago with plans to become a general contractor building homes along the coast. But after spending more time around the water, he began reconsidering his future.
“Just being here and on the water, I was like, I could do this all the time,” Daniel said.
Coming from a family of carpenters, Daniel was drawn to the hands-on craftsmanship of boat construction. At the same time, his interest in automotive work made the mechanical side of the marine industry equally appealing.
“I also love cars, and it’s hard to give up the motor side of things,” he said. “I wanted to come at least and try both.”
Broc, who is from Concord, North Carolina, found both programs while looking for a way to combine his lifelong interest in boats with a place he’d always enjoyed visiting.
“I’ve always been on the water my whole life, back and forth down here on the weekends,” Broc said.
“I’ve always wanted to do something with boats. I found both programs at CFCC and thought, what place is better than living at the beach?”
Learning Both Sides of the Industry
According to the students, one of the biggest advantages of completing both programs is gaining a more complete understanding of how boats are built, maintained, and repaired.
Daniel credits Boat Manufacture and Service Program Director John Olsen with encouraging students to expand their training.
“John was pushing everybody to take the Yamaha class,” Daniel said. “He encouraged us to learn both sides of it.”
Landen currently works in a fiberglass shop and has seen how specialized many jobs in the marine industry can be. Knowing both disciplines, he said, creates an advantage.
“It looks good when you know how to do pretty much all of it.”
Finding the Right Fit
Spencer Nickel, instructor for the Outboard Systems program, said the opportunity to explore multiple aspects of the marine industry helps students identify the work they enjoy most.
“You will definitely figure out what you like and don’t like to do,” Nickel said. “It would take you years to put time out in the field and jump between jobs to kind of go through that. Here, you’re getting it done in plus or minus 18 months.”
Daniel has already noticed the impact the programs have had throughout the local industry.
“It seems like everywhere I go, there’s somebody who works there who’s been through either the Boat Manufacture and Service or Outboard Systems program, or both of them,” he said.
Many of those graduates have gone on to leadership positions.
“It’s nice to talk to those guys who have been out for 10 years or something, and now they’re a manager of something somewhere,” Daniel said. “It’s cool to see the potential if you stick with it.”
To learn more about CFCC’s Boat Manufacture and Service program, visit cfcc.edu/boat-building/boat-manufacture-and-service. To learn more about CFCC’s Outboard Systems program, visit cfcc.edu/job-training/outboard-systems.
