Local Students Explore New England Boatworks, Future Careers in Marine Trades

Twenty-two local high school students, some who hope to make a career of the marine trades, toured on Wednesday afternoon.

The students hailed from Tiverton High School, Rogers High School and the MET School in Newport.

One of those students was Freshman Zack Chester of the MET School in Newport.

“I sail, my aunt and uncle sail and I want to race when I get older. This is great,” Chester said.

According to Personnel Manager Karl Nordstrom, New England Boatworks employs more than 100 people.

“We have a quality workforce that has an attention to detail to build a quality product to our customer’s expectations. Some of the trades we hire for are welders, boat builders, painters, electricians and metal fabricators,” said Nordstrom.

Those skilled jobs not only pay, but also offer health and dental benefits as well as profit sharing, according to Nordstrom.

“These jobs aren’t going away anytime soon. We are building the PUMA Racing yatch for its entry into the Volvo Ocean Race. Since June 2010, we have hired 27 people,” said Nordstrom.

Tiverton High School Junior William Dubreuil has applied to work at New England Boatworks this coming summer through a program run by the Rhode Island Marina Trades Association.

“I want to get my Marina Workers Certificate.  I understand there is a 12 hour course on safety I will need to take. I filled out the application and now I’m just waiting to hear,” said Dubreuil.

He knows what to expect when he does start working.

“My dad Robert and my uncle Mike both worked at the boatyards,” he said.

Two sisters who also took the tour may not know what to expect, but are just as enthused about the program.

“My sister Kelsey and the rest of our family moved from Tennessee recently. It’s very interesting to live on an island. I want to learn all about the boating industry,” said Roger High School Senior Kidder Gowen.

“Boats are fascinating to me. This sounds like a great new experience,” said her sister, Kelsey Gowen, a Roger High School sophomore. 

The students had the opportunity to visit many of the individual stations that make the complete boatyard, including the wielding shop and the wood shop.

Mardie Corcoran works at Rogers High School in the World of Work Program and calls herself a “job-coach,” who helped organize this tour.

The World of Work Program helps students match their interests and talents to a career.

“There are over 90 students enrolled in the program at this time,” said Corcoran.