Celebrating 15 Years

Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS) was established in 2005, by a group of Les Cheneaux Islands area enthusiasts, with its impressive history of the building and restoration of wooden boats, learned that there was no wooden boat building school in the Great Lakes region. The thought of establishing such a school became a reality as major fundraising began and, soon thereafter, waterfront property was purchased. By the following year, a 12,000 square foot facility was constructed, complementing the unique local character of the historic boat workshops and boat houses that dot the islands. The first student enrolled in the fall of 2006.

Flash forward through the years and individuals that paved the way for today, and GLBBS stands as the only accredited boat building school in the state of Michigan. Status as an accredited institution means GLBBS has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality education as set by the Accrediting Council for Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). The standards that drive the accreditation process ensure that the educational experience at GLBBS is well coordinated, competent, and delivered by a skilled and supported team.

As of 2020 – 2021 academic year, GLBBS offers two intensive twelve-month programs that prepare students to be industry-ready craftsmen and technicians. Graduates of the Comprehensive Career Boat Building program learn about traditional wooden boat construction, repair, and restoration. Graduates of the Marine Service Technology program are prepared to work in a wide range of marine fabrication and maintenance settings. GLBBS is a Mercury (Marine) University exclusive school. Through this partnership students receive a certificate from the Mercury M-Tech program and have the option to test for 4 Stroke Maintenance Certification. As an American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) designated Marine League School, students have the option to test for an ABYC Advisory certifications, as well as other industry credentials.

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