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During a visit from U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt to Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation’s (YMMC) Newnan, Georgia facility last week, Yamaha Motor reinforced its commitment to workforce development within its U.S. manufacturing facilities through the President’s Pledge to America’s Workers. Ben Speciale, President of Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit – and chairperson of the NMMA Board of Directors – and Mike Chrzanowski, President of YMMC, signed the pledge during the visit.

The Pledge to America’s Workers is an initiative that stemmed from the President’s National Council for the American Worker, which was established on July 19, 2018. The council leads a national strategy for training and re-training workers in high demand industries, such as recreational manufacturing. To date, more than 430 companies have signed the pledge, contributing to more than 16 million new training opportunities for American students and workers over the next five years.

“The marine industry alone has a total impact of $170 billion on the U.S. economy, which includes more than 691,000 jobs within 35,000 businesses,” said Speciale, who represents six additional Yamaha Marine manufacturing facilities in the U.S., including Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing, Skeeter Boats, G3 boats, Bennett Marine, Yamaha Precision Propellers, and Kracor. “Yamaha applauds Secretary Bernhardt’s recognition of the importance of the outdoor recreation industry. We particularly thank him for his leadership and support of the Great American Outdoors Act, which will improve infrastructure projects such as boat docks and launch ramps. We also appreciate his willingness to open public lands to outdoor recreational activities. That access solidifies the future of our industry and the manufacturing and technical jobs that support it.

“Yamaha has invested heavily in technical training and workforce development,” said Speciale. “In recent years, 2,589 students have enrolled in 98 technical school programs spanning 30 states, all supported by Yamaha. In addition, we’ve gained 2,116 Yamaha Marine Industry Technical School Certifications.”

“Manufacturing jobs represent the backbone of the U.S. economy. Within the recreational industry, these vocations not only provide U.S. workers with a solid means for making a living, they also play a key role in our industry’s future,” said Chrzanowski. “Yamaha is proud to sign this pledge in the presence of our employees and Secretary Bernhardt. We promise to support and grow the agile, resilient and diverse workforce of the future by building and expanding the pathways that lead to rewarding careers.”

For more information, please contact NMMA senior vice president of government and legal affairs, Nicole Vasilaros at [email protected].

Photo Caption – During a visit with U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt (standing) at Yamaha's facility in Newnan, Georgia, Mike Chrzanowski, President of Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation (seated left) and Ben Speciale, President of Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit (seated right) signed the Pledge to America's Workers, reinforcing Yamaha's commitment to workforce development. (Photo: Business Wire)