Located in Clarkson, DeKalb Technical College was established in 1961 and is one of the oldest technical schools in the state. The college's two campuses and five centers cover the counties of DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton and Morgan. It offers two-year associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. DeKalb's Motorcycle Service Technology program puts the focus on both mechanical theory and practical experience. Some of the occupational courses include Introduction to Motorcycle Technology, Motorcycle Fuel Systems and Introduction to Microcomputers as well as a repair internship.
North Georgia Technical College, based in N. Clarkesville, marked its 100th birthday in 2007. This public two-year school has multiple campuses and offers technical, adult and continuing education programs. Additionally, it features business and industry training. Besides traditional classes, North Georgia Technical also provides distance-learning courses that lead to certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees. For those interested in studying motorcycle and small-engine repair, it offers a tract that leads to a diploma in Motorcycle Service Technology, which requires 69 credit hours. The program stresses both practical experience as well as mechanical theory. The program's classes include electrical systems, fuel systems, customer service and internships. It's designed to give graduates entry-level skills for a career in motorcycle repair and maintenance, as well as related two-cycle and four-cycle vehicles.
Chattahoochee Technical College, the largest technical college in Georgia, is the result of the merger of Appalachian, Chattahoochee and North Metro Technical Colleges. It serves six counties and has seven campuses throughout north central Georgia, including two in Marietta. The college offers diploma and certificate programs in Powersports Equipment Repair Technology. Graduates can seek careers with motorcycle and ATV dealerships, as well as privately owned repair facilities and custom shops. They will learn skills to repair and maintain personal watercraft or specialize in small-engine repair, including boat engines. Individual certificate programs include maintenance technician, engine technician, performance technician and electrical technician, as well as a diploma in repair technology.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects are excellent for those who graduate from formal small-engine repair training programs. It projects a growth of seven percent for the field between 2008 and 2018, but that number can vary depending upon the specific type of equipment repairs in which the mechanic specializes. BLS notes that in 2008 some 70,400 small-engine repair jobs existed. Of those, 18,800 were motorcycle mechanics and about 22,100 were motorboat mechanics. Approximately 29,400 jobs were held by power equipment/small engine mechanics. These mechanics found work within a diverse field of employers. The Bureau reports that motor vehicle and parts dealers employed 37 percent. Garden centers and similar retailers employed 13 percent and 9 percent found work with repair and maintenance shops. Approximately 13 percent of small-engine repair mechanics were self-employed.