Boatbuilding Trade School Presents at US Boat Shows

IYRS, a trade school based in Rhode Island, showcases its educational programs at the largest in-water boat shows in America.

The school trains students in highly technical and craft-oriented wood and composites construction, as well as in the installation and maintenance of modern systems used on boats. In an era when many college students are graduating with high debt and slim job prospects, IYRS is experiencing record popularity. The school accepted its largest incoming class this fall, and some 30% of the students are military veterans and recent High School grads who are choosing IYRS as their route to sustainable careers.

The school is at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, from October 4-8 and at the U.S. Powerboat Show from October 11-14.

“At IYRS, we emphasize a highly technical and deeply craft-oriented education in an experiential learning setting—and that has become a winning combination for our students and the employers who hire them,” said IYRS President Terry Nathan. “During the tough economic climate of the past five years, our graduates have achieved a job-placement rate in the 80th percentile.”

The school offers three full-time programs from two campuses in Newport and Bristol, Rhode Island. The Marine Systems and Composite Technology programs are six months in duration; the next running of these two programs begins in March 2013.

Building with composites is a type of construction pioneered by boat builders; the technology has wide application in today’s industry for building structures that need to be light yet strong, with applications in aerospace, transportation, wind energy, marine and other sectors. The program is sponsored in part by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.

The school also offers a 20-month Boatbuilding & Restoration program where students learn their woodworking skills while restoring a fleet of classic wooden boats. This program runs on a September-June academic calendar.

IYRS is approved to certify educational benefits for eligible veterans , including the Post 9/11 GI Bill(Chapter 33), the Montgomery G.I. Bill (Chapter 30) and Veterans’ Vocational Rehabilitation Programs (Chapter 31). This fall, military veterans looking to translate their skills to new careers made up 14% of the incoming class.

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