Governor Snyder visits Great Lakes Boat Building School

CEDARVILLE, MI, August 15th, 2016– Governor Rick Snyder has set on a tour across the Upper Peninsula. His first stop was at Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS) in Cedarville, MI.

The visit is part of Snyder’s effort to highlight skilled trades as a viable option for students interested in careers.

Great Lakes Boat Building School offers several different options for students to learn about the wooden boat building trade. The “Comprehensive” Program teaches students traditional boat building techniques and classic woodworking while students enrolled in the 2 year “Career” program explore composite yacht building, marine systems, and yacht joinery.

The governor spoke of the importance of skilled trades and the unique opportunity that GLBBS affords its students and the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

“This is an outstanding illustration. This is a unique asset to the entire country. There’s only, like, four schools in the entire U.S. that do boat building skills like this and to have one right here in this area is fabulous,” said Governor Snyder after a tour of the GLBBS facilities.
100% of graduates of the 2014 and 2015 programs have been placed at positions within the maritime trades or have continued their schooling.

“We’re proud of our history, of our community, and of the great story we can tell prospective students. Great Lakes Boat Building School is about more than building boats. Its about building skills and eventually, careers,” said Ken Drenth, President of the GLBBS Board of Directors. “We are so pleased to have the opportunity to share that story with the governor and the rest of the state.”

Great Lakes Boat Building School was established in 2006 and has an estimated economic impact of over $1,000,000 per year on the Eastern Upper Peninsula. The school is currently enrolling students for fall of 2016.