Skills USA is a nationwide organization; it is also a club at College of Western Idaho. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to enhance their technical and leadership skills. In Skills USA, college students can...
Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology
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Program Exploration Event
Interested in a career in Powersports and Small Engine Repair? Join us April 25 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, Room 118 to:
- Learn more about this program, and meet the faculty.
- Meet industry leaders, and hear about career opportunities.
- Understand how education in this career field benefits you.
- Get tips on how to prepare for a successful start.
- Take a tour of the lab space and technology.
Overview
The growing popularity of powersports, including recreational vehicles, motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, and much more, has created a demand for highly skilled powersports and small engine repair technicians. The training you receive at CWI is focused on developing you into a powersports and small engine repair technician in as little as one year.
One comprehensive program includes:
- Motorcycle technician training
- ATV training
- Personal watercraft training
- Snowmobile technician training
- Side by Side and UTV training
- Outboard motor training
- Commercial Lawn and Maintenance equipment training
- Handheld Outdoor Power Equipment training
You will learn:
- Repair service
- Maintenance
- Industry technology
- Diagnostic skills
CWI has relationships with manufacturers in the industry that provide access to the newest equipment, and the tools and technology to work on them.
Manufacturer and Industry Partnerships:
Polaris, BRP, Harley Davidson, STIHL, Briggs and Stratton, Western Power Sports, CDK Global and EETC
Powersports and Small Engine Repair Program in the news:
CWI featured in SnoWest Magazine
Get started on your future in Powersports and Small Engine Repair with education and training from College of Western Idaho.
New Students
In addition to the New Student Orientation, you participate in as part of the college application process, you must attend a program orientation prior to registering for the Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology courses.
Sign up to receive information about upcoming program orientation dates. Program Orientation Dates
If you have questions about the program, please contact Alex Beal at alexbeal@cwi.edu.
Why This Program
CWI has partnered with some of the largest factory level companies in the business to develop a curriculum that will prepare you for a career in powersports and small engine repair. These partnerships include Polaris, BRP, Harley Davidson, STIHL, Briggs and Stratton, Western Power Sports, CDK Global and EETC. When you leave this program you will have the factory level certifications employers are looking for. While in the program you will have the opportunity to diagnose, estimate and repair real world problems using factory donated equipment, mock-up equipment and the most beneficial, live work equipment.
What You Will Learn to Do
- Diagnose and repair snowmobiles, motorcycles, personal watercraft, outboard motors, chain saws, ATVs, UTVs, lawn and garden equipment, and outdoor power equipment
- Understand operating principles for two- and four-cycle engines
- Understand basic electricity
- Service and maintain fuel and carburetor systems, transmissions, and power train systems
- Perform complete engine overhauls and basic engine tune-ups
- Manage and inventory parts
- Perform basic chassis tune-ups
- Utilize computers in the workplace
- Effectively communicate with customers and peers
Clubs
Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology - Associate of Applied Science Degree
2
YEARSAAS
Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology - Advanced Technical Certificate
2
YEARSATC
Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology - Intermediate Technical Certificate
1
YEARITC
Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology - Basic Technical Certificate 1
1
YEARBTC
Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology - Basic Technical Certificate 2
1
YEARBTC
Important Dates for Credit Programs
Summer 2023 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Priority Registration Begins1 | N/A | April 10 | Nov. 13, 2023 | |
Open Registration Begins | Feb. 27 | April 17 | Nov. 20, 2023 | |
Financial Aid Priority Deadline | May 13 | July 29 | Dec. 16, 2023 | |
Admission Deadline2 | May 27 | Aug. 12 | Jan. 6 | |
Last Day to Register for Classes | June 2 | Aug. 18 | Jan. 12 | |
Tuition and Fees Due | June 2 | Aug. 18 | Jan. 12 | |
Classes Begin3 | June 5 | Aug. 21 | Jan. 16 | |
1 Priority registration is limited to continuing students. Students are assigned a registration time based on their cumulative credits earned. Students should check myCWI and their CWI email to learn their assigned registration time. Students may register online anytime on or after their assigned registration time. | ||||
2 The admission deadline for international students is earlier than the deadline for non-international students and is only available during the fall and spring semesters. Please consult the Academic Calendar for the international student admission deadlines for the fall and spring semesters. | ||||
3 Classes in shorter sessions (including 4-, 5-, and 8-week sessions) may begin before or after this date. Please refer to the Registration and Refund Deadlines by Class Section Dates (located beneath each semester) of the Academic Calendar for more information. |
Skills, Traits, and Prep Classes
- Interest in recreational and small engine industry
- Good reading and math skills
- Mechanical aptitude
- Manual dexterity
- Ability to evaluate and make decisions
- Safety consciousness
- Good eyesight
- Fluency in the English Language
Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
If you have questions about any of this information, please contact One Stop Student Services or your advisor.
Financial Aid Available
Did you know that as a student in this program you may be eligible for financial aid? Through grants, scholarships, and loans, more than 60 percent of first-time, full-time CWI students receive some form of financial assistance. To learn more about financial aid options and whether you may be eligible, visit Financial Aid.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for a full-time CWI student averages half the cost of a state university and a third of the cost of a private college. Tuition and fees vary based on program and residence. Visit Tuition and Fees for more information.
Career Info
Professions
- Engine Repair Specialist
- Suspension Tuning and Repair Specialist
- BLM Technician
- Army Core of Engineers Technician
- Service Writer
- Technician
- Service Manager
- Parts Person
- Parts Manager
- Entry Level Technician
- Shop Assistant
- Regional Service Representative
- Regional Sales Representative
- Business Owner
- Resort Rental Equipment Repair
- Powersports Rental Technician
- Motorcycle Salesperson
- Lot Tech
- Parts Salesperson
- Service Technician
- Motorsports Technician
- Parts and Accessories Associate
- Outboard Mechanic
- Motorcycle Technician
- Shipping and Receiving Associate
- Power Equipment Salesperson
- Power Equipment Technician
- Powersports Technician
- Sports Technician
Powersports and small engine repair is a skill that you can take with you for the rest of your life, anywhere in the world. The skills learned in this program set you up for opportunities in the competitive and growing powersports and power equipment industry. Your skills will assist you in finding the position that is best for you as a technician, or in the sales and parts departments.
Some of our local industry partners that we have students working for include:
- Carl’s Cycle Sales
- Dennis Dillion Powersports
- Grizzly Sports
- High Desert Harley Davidson
- Tates Rents
- D&B Supply
- Idaho Watersports
- Army Core of Engineers
- Brundage Resort
- Powersports Rental Companies
- Snake River Yamaha
- Canyon Honda
- Indian Creek Sports
- Woody’s Outdoor Power
- Edge Powersports
- Mile High Power Sports
Locations
Instructors
Program Department Chair
Instructor(s)
Respectful Community
The College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs

Are you interested in learning more about careers and programs to help you get the job you want? If so, plan to attend one of College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Program Exploration Events!

Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology students spend a day picking up trash on public lands in Kuna.

Stihl Northwest visited the College recently for industry training and a special donation.

CWI swept away the competition with 37 medals at this year's SkillsUSA State Conference.

CWI students earned 27 medals at the event, including 20 gold medals.
Career & Technical Education
- Administrative Specialist
- Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology
- Automotive Technology
- Bookkeeping and Accounting
- Cisco Networking and Security Technologies
- Collision Repair Technology
- Computer Support Specialist
- Cybersecurity
- Dental Assisting
- Drafting Technology
- Education, Early Childhood
- Fire Service Management
- Fire Service Technology
- Heavy Duty Truck Technician
- Heavy Equipment Technician
- Horticulture Technology
- Law Enforcement
- Machine Tool Technology
- Marketing Communications
- Medical Administrative Support
- Medical Assistant - Credit
- Network and System Administration
- Nursing, Practical
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology
- Software Development
- Surgical Technology
- Swift Programming
- Unmanned Aerial Systems
- Welding and Metals Fabrication
- Wildland Fire Management