It's now the Marine Trades Institute

The Great Lakes Boat Building School has a new name: The Marine Trades Institute. 

The school, founded by three vintage boat enthusiasts nearly two decades ago, has adopted the more encompassing name as part of a rebranding that reflects its growth during the past two decades and its expansion plans. 

The name change, and program restructuring are among the latest developments at the respected school in Les Cheneaux Islands near Cedarville. The Institute recently completed the acquisition of nearby property -- the historic Taylor Lumber -- securing vital space for planned growth. 

“We’re excited about the future,” said Joe Reid, who is chairman of the board of the Marine Trades Institute. “This rebrand represents both evolution and continuity — bringing fresh opportunities to the school and providing new opportunities to those looking at the skilled trades as a career opportunity, all while staying true to the values that have made us who we are.”

What’s happening: The Great Lakes Boat Building School has rebranded itself as the Marine Trades Institute. The new name reflects the growth of the school’s educational offerings and its expanding role in training the next generation of marine workers. The new name also honors the school’s deep roots in boat building and craftsmanship while positioning the Institute to continue expanding programming to serve anyone looking to enter the world of marine trades.

Program restructuring: The Institute is restructuring its programs to enhance its educational offerings and better reach people seeking careers and training in the marine industry. The Institute will transition its current program into two distinct schools, empowering each school to independently grow and adapt its programs, informing students of the opportunities with marine careers. The schools are:

• The Boat Building School will house the school’s flagship Comprehensive Career Boat Building Program, as well as any future wooden or specialized boat building programs.
• The Marine Technology School will house the Marine Service Technology Program and future certifications in areas like marine electronics. 

Why the rebranding: The school's leadership deemed the name change necessary to the school’s long-term success. By restructuring the Boat Building School and Marine Technology School under the broader Marine Trades Institute name, the organization will be poised to better compete for federal funding and open doors to new training opportunities for future students. In addition, the new name better aligns with the school’s national impact, as its alumni contribute to the marine industry across the country and students come from all across the United States and Canada.

The Marine Trades Institute remains committed to equipping students with the skills and connections they need to thrive in the ever-evolving marine industry. With a focus on hands-on education and partnerships with leading marine organizations, students will graduate prepared to step into rewarding careers, whether building custom boats, maintaining cutting-edge marine technologies, or innovating within the growing marine sector. 

What they’re saying: “We’re proud of our history and the incredible legacy of the Great Lakes Boat Building School, which has shaped so many careers,” said Nikki Storey, president of Marine Trades Institute. “As we expand, the new name helps us reach those looking to become skilled in marine trades while allowing us to embrace a wider audience and continue to grow our programming and impact. We remain steadfast to our founding principles of craftsmanship and hands-on training, which have cemented GLBBS as a respected institution in the Great Lakes region.”

About Marine Trades Institute: Initially established as the Great Lakes Boat Building School, the school initially focused on wooden boat building and restoration. Since then, the school has grown to provide comprehensive career training in wooden boat building and related services, as well as establishing 
Marine Service Technology, a program that prepares students to become entry-level marine technicians. Marine Trades Institute is a non-profit organization recognized as a charitable organization and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The Institute is recognized as a Silver Star Veteran Friendly.