Some big waves are expected at the Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS) in Cedarville, Mich. this year.
“Our programs are thriving,” Great Lakes Boat Building School President Nikki Storey said. “We want to grow. The goal is to be between 50 and 100 students. We are now moving forward into facility expansion.”
The school’s plans are estimated to cost around $3.8 million and financial assistance could be on its way.
“We have applied for a U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant,” she said. “It is in its final stages.”
The EDA grant would cover 80 percent of the estimated cost, which is the equivalent of 2.7 million.
To aid in financing the remaining $1.1 million needed for construction and materials, Storey intends on organizing a capital campaign.
“This school was founded based on the foresight of our board of directors and their respect of the heritage of wooden boat building in our area,” said Storey. “We are very proud of the success in our current curriculum offering and the addition of the Marine Service Technician program last year. Due to the growth of both programs and the upcoming addition of a marine electronics cohort, we envision an opportunity to engage supporters locally and beyond the EUP in a capital campaign.”
A new building to host the upcoming electronics program will be built behind the existing campus, along the waterfront.
“We are going to be adding a nine-month long marine electronics program,” Storey said. “The program will be the first in the country. We are supposed to break ground by spring... hopefully, but we might be looking at spring of 2023.”
There are currently 17 students in attendance at GLBBS, with eight in boat building and nine in marine services. The existing building and classroom structure can only accommodate 24. Storey expects the new program to bring more prospective students her way, making additional space necessary.
According to its website, GLBBS is the only accredited boat building school in the state of Michigan, having met nationally recognized standards of quality education set by the Accrediting Council for Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
GLBBS offers two intensive twelve-month certification programs, preparing students to be entry-level craftsmen and technicians: Comprehensive Career Boat Building Program (CCBB) and Marine Service Technology (MST).
Lead Instructor Matt Edmondson is in charge of the school’s programming. The former 2012 GLBBS graduate started teaching in fall of 2017, assuming the lead role in 2019.
“We plan to start a program within the next couple of years for marine electronics,” Edmondson said. “Marine electronics is continuing to evolve.”
According to Edmondson, the CCBB program prepares students for employment in wooden boat building and restoration. Graduates could find employment with boat and yacht manufacturers, maintenance facilities or high-end woodworking shops.
The MST program prepares students for entry-level marine technician work, in settings like marinas, dealerships, repair yards, manufacturing facilities, and yacht clubs. Graduates could perform installation and maintenance services on recreation and commercial boats.
There is money to be made in both fields.
“Our stats from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) say a boat builder can expect to make an average of $46,000 per year,” Edmondson said. “A marine technician could make around $44,000.
The lead instructor emphasized the demand for local and state-wide employees.
“There are local jobs available, but we are filling a need all over the state,” he said. “We have the longest freshwater coastline in North America.”
Due to the labor shortage, employers are offering more than a decent wage.
“A lot of our students are getting job offers of over $20 per hour,” said Storey. “Some employers are offering housing, tool allowance and medical full benefits. There are some employers offering sponsorship of $22,000. The skills gap is huge right now and there is a desperate need for technicians in the workforce. Employers are dying for employees like this.”
Gage Marine of Wisconsin is one such employer, offering students who wish to work there after graduation $10,000 to cover half the tuition. Future Gage Marine employees would be offered health insurance, overtime pay, a $1,500 sign-on bonus, $200 in tool allowance, free uniforms and training, senior mentoring and six months of housing.
“Our programs bring people to the Eastern U.P., along with an economy that would normally not be here year-round,” Edmondson said. “It is good on a community level and good on a national level, because we are the only school preparing students for trades in the marine industry like this.”
While five other schools around the U.S. have comparable marine programs, GLBBS is home to the nation’s only freshwater programs.
“You are signing on to a lifestyle more than a job,” Edmondson said. “When I was in high school, someone told me he didn’t know one person in the industry having a bad time. They were all having fun.”
Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS) programs run from September through the middle of August each year.
To learn more, visit its website or Facebook page. The main office number is 703-247-4212.