Record crop of students has boat school class at NWMC
The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding is intent on enhancing local collaboration while furthering its regional reputation.
For more than 35 years, the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding has been a contributor to the Port Townsend Bay and Jefferson County experience, noted Betsy Davis, executive director. By drawing faculty, students and visitors to the school, and by graduating quality craftspeople, the boat school is integral to the region’s culture and economy.
The boat school brings around $2 million a year to the local economy” said Davis. “It is our intention that as an educational destination the school’s collaborations, programs and contributions enhance the region.”
In October 2014 the school welcomed a record 64 students to its Port Hadlock campus, from 19 states and five countries outside the U.S., and including 13 veterans and eight women. The school has grown to include contemporary boat building methods and become a fully accredited vocational training program.
The boat school began piloting a practicum in contemporary boat building recently in the Wooden Boat Foundation Boatshop at the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend.
“We are delighted that boat school students have the opportunity for hands-on learning in this unique location in such close proximity to the maritime trades,” said Davis. “In turn we hope that the Northwest Maritime Center’s many visitors will learn as they watch craftspeople at work, and will become aware of the vibrant educational programs we offer at our campus in Port Hadlock.”
