Double Your Impact: Soo Co-op Credit Union Supports Great Lakes Boat Building School with Matching Campaign

Cedarville, Michigan – Your donation to Great Lakes Boat Building School can make double the impact this December thanks to a matching fundraising campaign with Soo Co-op Credit Union in celebration of Giving Tuesday.

Established in 2012, Giving Tuesday was created to help promote philanthropy, charity, and volunteerism during the holiday season. At Great Lakes Boat Building School, Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to share the importance of the Student Enrichment Fund (SEF) and how donations help support the students’ hands-on marine training. The SEF is an essential component of the GLBBS budget that provides funding for special educational initiatives, training opportunities, field trips, and team-building activities and outings, while also helping the school maintain affordable tuition. “As a non-profit, donations play a significant role in our operations and programming,” says Nikki Storey, President of GLBBS. “The Student Enrichment Fund is central to everything we do. Every donation to the SEF, no matter the size, directly impacts our students’ educational experience while they are training at GLBBS.”

This year, GLBBS and Soo Co-op have partnered to promote the school’s Student Enrichment Fund during the week of Giving Tuesday. Beginning Monday, Dec 2nd through Sunday, Dec. 8th, Soo Co-op will match donations to the SEF 1:1, up to $1,000. GLBBS aims to raise $1,000 worth of donations during this timeframe to receive the full match from Soo Co-op. “We are grateful for Soo Co-op partnering with us to support our students through this fundraising initiative,” says Storey. “Their generous commitment to match donations made to the SEF will double the impact of every dollar raised for our students.”

If you would like to donate to the Great Lakes Boat Building School’s Student Enrichment Fund please visit www.glbbs.edu/support. For more information, or questions about GLBBS and their marine training programs email admissions@glbbs.edu.

About Great Lakes Boat Building School

GLBBS produces qualified students from their Comprehensive Career Boat Building Program (CCBB) and the Marine Service Technology Program (MST), in partnership with Mercury Marine University, with a nearly 100% placement rate. The School addresses the shortage of skilled trades and craftspeople in the marine industry following graduation. For prospective student enrollment information email admissions@glbbs.edu or call 906.484.1081.

Great Lakes Boat Building School is a non-profit organization recognized as a charitable organization and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Irish Boat Shop Showcase Encourages Students to Explore Marine Careers

Charlevoix, Michigan – Irish Boat Shop is partnering with Great Lakes Boat Building School to encourage students across Northern Michigan to consider a career on the water.

The second annual Marine Trades Showcase is being held at Irish Boat Shop’s Charlevoix Marina on Thursday, October 17th. The event is hosted in partnership with Great Lakes Boat Building School, a marine trades institution offering year-long training programs to aspiring marine carpenters and technicians. During their time at GLBBS, students gain a comprehensive education and earn certifications that will support their future careers. GLBBS has established partnerships with leading marine companies nationwide to build connections between students and career opportunities after graduation. The school boasts a nearly 100% placement rate for its graduates, with four alumni currently employed at Irish Boat Shop.

Additionally, Irish has collaborated with the GLBBS through the Marine Dealers Education Network, or MDEN. Through MDEN, Irish helps to financially support the GLBBS Student Enrichment Fund in return for opportunities to connect with future graduates, such as providing employment sponsorships. The Dave Irish Student Sponsorship, established in 2023, provides $15,000 towards a student’s tuition in exchange for a one-year work commitment after graduation. Students in both the Comprehensive Career Boat Build program and the Marine Service Technology program are encouraged to apply for this sponsorship.

About Great Lakes Boat Building School

GLBBS produces qualified students from their Comprehensive Career Boat Building Program (CCBB) and the Marine Service Technology Program (MST), in partnership with Mercury Marine University, with a nearly 100% placement rate.  The School addresses the shortage of skilled trades and craftspeople in the marine industry following graduation. For prospective student enrollment information go to glbbs.edu/admissions-aid/ or call 906.484.1081.

Great Lakes Boat Building School is a non-profit organization recognized as a charitable organization and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

About Irish Boat Shop

Irish Boat Shop has provided services to recreational boaters in Harbor Springs since 1961, Lake Charlevoix since 1971, and Traverse City since 2018.  Their family-owned operation, modern facilities, and breadth of experience has established them as boating experts in Northern Michigan. Irish Boat Shop is a member of the GLBBS Marine Dealer Education Network (MDEN). To learn more about the MDEN membership, visit glbbs.edu/mden

Irish Boat Shop Charlevoix Showcase

UPDATE: Registration is now closed for this event. GLBBS and Irish Boat Shop will be hosting another Marine Showcase in October of 2025. For early notification, please reach out to Gina Stegehuis to be added to the mailing list.

Thursday, October 17th, 2024

From 9am-1pm with lunch provided

Dive in and explore marine industry careers!

Irish Boat Shop and Great Lakes Boat Building School are thrilled to announce their second annual Marine Trades Showcase. This year’s event will take place at the Irish Boat Shop’s Charlevoix Marina on Thursday, October 17th from 9am-1pm.

Students will explore the facility and learn new skills with interactive activities. The team from Great Lakes Boat Building School will be on deck to provide information about how you can begin a career in the rewarding field of marine trades! This event is free and limited to 30 students. To register please fill out the form below. The registration deadline is October 11th. We look forward to seeing you in Charlevoix!

Where:

13000 Stover Road, Charlevoix, MI 49720

Riding the Wave

GLBBS was recently featured on UPword Michigan, a digital news magazine focused on the dynamic communities, businesses, and residents of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

GLBBS and Les Cheneaux Distillers Partner to “Raise Funds and Spirits” for Marine Training

Cedarville, Michigan – May 21st, 2024 – Great Lakes Boat Building School is partnering with Les Cheneaux Distillers to host Beerfest 2024 and raise “funds and spirits” for the school. The annual fundraiser was canceled last year due to space restrictions on the GLBBS campus as planning for construction began on a new 10,000 sq. ft. training facility. This year, the school has partnered with Les Cheneaux Distillers in Cedarville to bring back this fundraiser which celebrates the school, the community, and the new group of students who will be coming to Les Cheneaux for the 2024-25 school year. “The idea of us hosting Beerfest at the Distillers started after we heard of the space limitations and other challenges of having the event at the school,” said Jason Bohn, owner of Les Cheneaux Distillers. “Our goal at LCD for this event is to raise funds for the Boat School since it is such an important part of our community. At the same time, we want those in attendance to enjoy themselves while supporting the school and its students.”

Proceeds from Beerfest support the GLBBS Student Enrichment Fund, which helps the school provide excellent experiences for students who will spend the next year training to become marine carpenters and technicians. GLBBS works year-round to raise support for the Student Enrichment Fund, which helps keep tuition affordable and provides funding for special field trips and training opportunities. “We are excited to be partnering with Les Cheneaux Distillers for this event as we celebrate and thank the LCI community. It’s such a great venue,” said Tom Coates, Director of Development at GLBBS. “The community embraces our students, sometimes providing housing and employment opportunities for them as they work towards their graduation. I often see them with their friends and families in the stores and restaurants and the welcome they receive from community members is really appreciated.”

The event will take place on Friday, August 23rd from 6pm to 9pm at Les Cheneaux Distillers in Cedarville. Beerfest will feature food, unique vendor displays, raffle prizes, and live entertainment by local talent, the Haske Brothers. GLBBS will be featuring equipment used in delivering the school’s Marine Service Technology program and finished projects completed by Comprehensive Career Boat Building students. GLBBS is seeking support for Beerfest and multiple sponsorship levels are available which include vendor space, complimentary event tickets, businesses featured on the event t-shirt, web-page, publicity, newsletters and more.

Tickets are $50 a person and include two drink tickets, one food ticket, and entry to the entertainment and vendor booths for the evening. You can find tickets at www.glbbs.edu/beerfest-2024. For more information about sponsorships or event details contact Gina Stegehuis, Communications and Outreach Coordinator at gina.stegehuis@glbbs.edu or (906) 484-1081.

About Great Lakes Boat Building School

GLBBS produces qualified students from their Comprehensive Career Boat Building Program (CCBB) and the Marine Service Technology Program (MST), in partnership with Mercury Marine University, with a consistent 100% placement rate.  The School addresses the shortage of skilled trades and craftspeople in the marine industry following graduation. For prospective student enrollment information go to www.glbbs.edu or call 906.484.1081.

Great Lakes Boat Building School is a non-profit organization recognized as a charitable organization and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Enbridge helps to “Fuel Futures” at Great Lakes Boat Building School

Currently, GLBBS offers two certification programs focusing on boat building and marine technician training. A “Marine Electrical and Electronics Technology” course will be added to the school’s programs beginning next year, allowing students to obtain new certifications in this high demand field of work. New marine equipment and technology are required to launch this program and will also allow GLBBS to offer higher level Mercury certifications.

To obtain the equipment needed for these new training programs GLBBS launched the Enhancing Education with Equipment (EEE) campaign, with a goal of raising $850,000 in either monetary or equipment donations. Thanks to the grant received from Enbridge, GLBBS has reached $776,429 (or 91%) of their goal. “Providing our students with the latest in marine equipment and technology is an ongoing challenge for us to adequately prepare them for the nuances they will face in the marine industry,” states Nikki Storey, GLBBS President. “We appreciate Enbridge supporting our students with this Fueling Futures grant. The equipment we purchase will not only help this year’s graduates but future classes too.”

If you would like to support the EEE Campaign or learn more contact Tom Coates at thomas.coates@glbbs.edu or call 906 440-3978.

About Great Lakes Boat Building School

GLBBS produces qualified students from their Comprehensive Career Boat Building Program (CCBB) and the Marine Service Technology Program (MST), in partnership with Mercury Marine University, with a consistent 100% placement rate.  The School addresses the shortage of skilled trades and craftspeople in the marine industry following graduation. For prospective student enrollment information go to www.admissions@glbbs.org or call 906.484.1081.

Information about the GLBBS Marine Dealer Education Network is available by contacting Tom Coates, Director of Development at thomas.coates@glbbs.edu or by calling 906.484.1081.

Great Lakes Boat Building School is a non-profit organization recognized as a charitable organization and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

New Scholarship Opportunities for EUP Students at Great Lakes Boat Building School

Cedarville, Michigan – Students in the Eastern Upper Peninsula who are interested in working in the marine industry now have access to a new sponsorship opportunity to attend Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBSS) in Cedarville, Michigan.

The newly established Marlene E. Kennedy Scholarship is available to students from Mackinac, Chippewa, and Luce counties. The scholarship supports Eastern UP students who are seeking training through GLBBS to earn careers in the marine industry, such as marine technicians or carpenters. Many leading marine companies have struggled to find and retain employees, which has led to a surge of new employment opportunities due to the growth in the industry and older workers retiring from the workforce. GLBBS has experienced a nearly 100% placement rate after graduation for the past 7 years, a testament to the need for workers in this field. “In the state of Michigan alone, there are over 45,000 jobs supported by the marine industry – the opportunities are astounding,” says Nikki Storey, President at GLBBS. “Our goal at GLBBS is to ensure training is affordable for anyone seeking a career. I grew up locally and I have a heart much like the Kennedy’s to see local students succeed. Scholarship support for our local students is instrumental to ensuring this goal is achieved. I couldn’t be more pleased to have a student success partner in the Kennedy family.”

The scholarship was established by Stanley O. Kennedy Sr. and his family, who are longtime residents of Chippewa County in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Both Stanley and his late wife, Marlene, strongly support the development of future generations through educational activities. Through this scholarship, the Kennedy family wants to help local students achieve their goals of building meaningful careers. “We are excited to provide this opportunity to residents in our community,” says Stanley O. Kennedy Jr. “Having the opportunity to receive top-notch training so close to home is an incredible opportunity for our EUP students, many of whom have grown up on the water. We’re glad to support the education of our local students, it is important to us to give back to our community.”

Students seeking to attend GLBBS have until June 9th, 2024 to apply for the scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year. To qualify, students must have a minimum high school or college GPA of 2.25 or higher, enroll full time as a student to GLBBS, and complete the full scholarship application. If selected, the scholarship will provide $1,000 towards the cost of tuition, and may be used toward either the Marine Service Technology or Comprehensive Career Boat Building program.

About Great Lakes Boat Building School

GLBBS produces qualified students from their Comprehensive Career Boat Building Program (CCBB) and the Marine Service Technology Program (MST), in partnerships with Mercury Marine University, Ilmor Engineering and Volvo Penta. The School addresses the shortage of skilled trades and craftspeople in the marine industry following graduation. For prospective student enrollment information go to glbbs.edu/admissions-aid/ or call 906.484.1081.

Great Lakes Boat Building School is a non-profit organization recognized as a charitable organization and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Great Lakes Boat Building School welcomes Lakeside Marina to the Marine Dealer Education Network

Mutually Beneficial Collaboration

With the Marine Dealer Education Network membership, Lakeside Marina will have access to a variety of benefits from GLBBS. These incentives include visiting the GLBBS campus and presenting to students, having virtual opportunities to share specialized projects with the school, partnering with GLBBS to host a Marine Dealer Showcase event, and a nomination for a seat on the Program Advisory Board, which steers the educational offerings of the school, plus more.

“Creating partnerships is important in this industry because these partnerships provide new avenues for our students who are training to join the marine workforce.” says Nikki Storey, President of GLBBS. “Lakeside Marina and our other MDEN members are taking a hands-on approach to combating the workforce shortage our industry is facing, and opening up educational opportunities for students through their sponsorships. We are grateful for their support and expertise, and proud to provide new and rewarding career opportunities for our students.”

Lakeside Marina joins fellow MDEN members Jefferson Beach Yacht Club with several locations including Detroit, and Irish Boat Shop from Harbor Springs. GLBBS aspires to welcome more members into the Marine Dealer Education Network in the in the future. For more information about the program or about Great Lakes Boat Building School visit www.glbbs.edu. For information about Lakeside Marina visit www.lakesidemarina.com

About Lakeside Marina

Lakeside Marina is a full-service marina, boat dealership, boat club, and marine service center located on the shores of the beautiful Fox River in Oshkosh, Wisconsin – directly between Lake Winnebago and Lake Butte Des Morts. Lakeside’s goal is to empower and promote boating in all forms and fashions throughout the Fox Valley and Wisconsin waterways. Over the past 60+ years of business, they have formed enduring relationships with those in the boating community, many of whom have become lifelong coworkers, customers, and friends.

To learn more about Lakeside Marina go to https://www.boatwisco.com/

Great Lakes Boat Building School is a non-profit organization recognized as a charitable organization and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

NMDA Grants $25,000 gift to Great Lakes Boat Building School for Student Training

Cedarville, Michigan –  The Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS) in Cedarville, Michigan will have new training opportunities for students this year thanks to a generous $25,000 donation made by the National Marine Distributors Association (NMDA). GLBBS is a leader in marine workforce development. The $25,000 donation given to GLBBS by NMDA will be used to purchase marine electrical system mock-ups, or “training pods” which will be used by students seeking their Marine Electronics Technology certification. “The Board of Directors, and membership of the National Marine Distributors Association are pleased to announce a $25,000 donation to the Great Lakes Boat Building School,” Nancy Cueroni, Executive Director of NMDA stated. She continued “The NMDA Marine Electrical Systems Lab Pod will provide two marine electrical system mock-ups for instruction and hands-on skill development. We feel strongly that the more highly trained technicians we can help develop, the better it is for all segments of our industry.”

The National Marine Distributors Association advances the growth of the marine industry by fostering partnerships with industry stakeholders, strengthening the supply chain, providing education and training, and promoting best practices when it comes to manufacturing and distribution. NMDA provides educational materials and training opportunities throughout the year to members, and brings together marine manufacturers and distributors to create open lines of communication to help address issues and strengthen the industry.

GLBBS is known for providing an exceptional hands-on education for students seeking careers such as marine carpenters or technicians, or those focused on other specialized areas of marine training. Programs are constantly being added to the GLBBS curriculum, including new certifications from Volvo Penta, Ilmor, and Mercury Marine, as well as the upcoming launch of an all new certification program in Marine Electronics Technology. With the gift from NMDA, the GLBBS staff is excited to offer a new training opportunity to students studying marine service technology and electronics, a growing field within the industry.

As with many industries, marine workers are constantly adapting to new trends in boating, including technology and equipment needs. In order to provide a high quality education, GLBBS partners with leaders in the industry to guide the school’s curriculum and provide educational opportunities and up-to-date equipment for training students. After a successful capital campaign, GLBBS is set to begin construction on a new building which will house a program focused on marine electronics training and certification. Now, GLBBS has launched the Enhancing Education through Equipment (or EEE) campaign, with a goal of raising $850,000 for the equipment needed for these new certification programs. The National Marine Distributors Association works to strengthen the marine industry through the support of marine workforce development, and their donation will provide a key piece of equipment for the EEE campaign.

With this donation, GLBBS has raised $284,919 toward the EEE campaign, or 34% of the total goal. The school is still seeking support through either monetary or in-kind donations. “We are truly humbled to receive this support from such a well-respected organization in the marine industry,’ said Nikki Storey, GLBBS President. “The NMDA represents so many outstanding businesses that their donation elevates our equipment campaign and very well could inspire others to join in and participate.”

To learn more about Great Lakes Boat Building School please visit www.glbbs.edu. To learn more about the National Marine Distributors Association please visit www.nmdaonline.com.

The NMDA Marine Electrical Systems Lab Pod will provide new training opportunities for future students attending GLBBS. The 2023-24 class (featured above) is the largest class in GLBBS history, consisting of 28 students including three veterans.

About Great Lakes Boat Building School

GLBBS produces qualified students from their Comprehensive Career Boat Building Program (CCBB) and the Marine Service Technology Program (MST), in partnership with Mercury Marine University, with a consistent 100% placement rate.  The School addresses the shortage of skilled trades and craftspeople in the marine industry following graduation. For prospective student enrollment information go to glbbs.edu/admissions-aid/ or call 906.484.1081.

Information about the “GLBBS Marine Dealer Education Network” is available by contacting Tom Coates, Director of Development at thomas.coates@glbbs.edu or by calling 906.484.1081.

Great Lakes Boat Building School is a non-profit organization recognized as a charitable organization and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

“Generator Generosity” by Interstate Power Systems and Kohler Marine to GLBBS

This gift comes at a very opportune time for the marine trades institution with the new and largest cohort of 29 students that have arrived on campus for the 2023-24 school year. These students will experience an enhanced educational experience with this Kohler generator from Interstate/Kohler and the previous in-kind or monetary gifts by Gage Marine, Marine Leadership Alliance, Ilmor Engineering, Inc and Volvo Penta.

“Not only do we thank Interstate PowerSystems and Kohler for this tremendous gift of a new Kohler generator, but it could motivate other industry leaders to assist us in preparing students for the marine industry,” said Nikki Storey, Great Lakes Boat Building School. “If other organizations or individuals want to participate in this campaign, please reach out to us.”

About Great Lakes Boat Building School

GLBBS produces qualified students from their Comprehensive Career Boat Building Program (CCBB) and the Marine Service Technology Program (MST), in partnerships with Mercury Marine University, Ilmor Engineering and Volvo Penta with a consistent 100% placement rate.  The School addresses the shortage of skilled trades and craftspeople in the marine industry following graduation. For prospective student enrollment information go to glbbs.edu/admissions-aid/ or call 906.484.1081.

Information about the “Enhancing Education with Equipment Campaign” is available by contacting Tom Coates, Director of Development at thomas.coates@glbbs.edu or by calling 906.484.1081.

Great Lakes Boat Building School is a non-profit organization recognized as a charitable organization and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

About Interstate PowerSystems, Inc.

Interstate Power Systems has been a leading distributor of both on-and off-highway engines and transmissions since 1957. They also provide extensive parts and service for vocational trucks and heavy equipment. Power Systems has 20 branch locations across 12 states, and delivers solutions for power generation, marine, construction, mining, transport refrigeration, industrial and OEM needs.

Interstate offers sales, service and support for an extensive line of products that includes Allison Transmission, Alliance Truck Parts, Atlas Copco, Carrier Transicold, Detroit Diesel, Deutz, Liebherr, MTU, Volvo Penta Marine and many more. The company has hundreds of certified, experienced, factory-trained, and industry-recognized technicians.

About Kohler Co.

Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, Kohler Co. is one of America’s oldest and largest privately held companies comprised of more than 35,000 associates.  With more than 50 manufacturing locations worldwide, Kohler is a global leader in the design, innovation and manufacture of kitchen and bath products; engines and power systems; luxury cabinetry, tile and lighting; and owner/operator of two, five-star hospitality and golf resort destinations in Kohler, Wisconsin, and St. Andrews, Scotland, as well as Lodge Kohler in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  Kohler’s Whistling Straits golf course hosted the Ryder Cup in 2021.  The company also develops solutions to address pressing issues, such as clean water and sanitation, for underserved communities around the world to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.  For more details, please visit KohlerCompany.com