Sending a student away to school is a milestone in the life of any parent, it can also be a time of great apprehension as decisions are made for the next steps in your child’s education. Parents can rest assured that at Great Lakes Boat Building School we are committed to partnering with you in guiding your student through the challenges and triumphs of the next few years.
We understand the mix of emotions that you and your family are experiencing as your child transitions from high school student to learning a skill that will benefit them for the rest of their life.
The Student Services Office at GLBBS provides communication between the School and the parents/guardians of our students in order to support student success, generate goodwill for the School; and to provide information regarding School resources, events/activities, and opportunities to interact with other parents.
Our full-time, twelve-month program is designed to
provide a cross-functional course of study in the methods, materials, and professionalism required of today’s wooden boat builder. Integrating lectures, demonstrations, and individual projects; the program focuses on the right balance of theoretical and practical knowledge for career success.
Who is the typical Great Lakes Boat Building School student?
GLBBS students are traditional students, fresh off of high school graduation. They are Veterans of the U.S. Military. Others are career changers who have already been professionals in something other than building boats.
So…there is no “typical” GLBBS student – just individuals with a love for boats and a passion for working with their hands. All of our students are propelled by an interest in becoming skilled craftsmen and craftswomen.
A typical day at GLBBS begins at 8:00a with an in-class lecture. Students spend the remainder of their day (aside from an hour long lunch break) on the projects assigned to them in the mill, workshop, finishing room, or loft.
During the course of the school day students may sort, inventory, and mill lumber, draft, loft, sand, cut, assemble, shape, paint, and varnish their projects just as they would in a commercial boat building shop. Students are expected to maintain not only their own tools but the tools in the mill as well. At the conclusion of each day (approximately 4:30pm), students are responsible for cleaning and prepping their workspace for the following day.
After the work day, students are offered many social and educational opportunities and the chance to work on their own side projects. Students have 24/7 school access.