Boat building program in Beaufort County hopes to create pipeline to booming industry

Starting this semester, Beaufort County Community College is offering a new degree in boat building for students.

Program leaders say the course will help create a pipeline of local talent to an industry that’s on the rise in the area.

“The goal of this program is to help students get their foot in the door and get them a heads up on the competition,” BCCC lead boat building instructor Connor Jones said.

Inside a warehouse in Washington, you’ll find what looks like a mix between a classroom and a factory.

“We just concluded the second week of classes, and we’ve already started some hands-on projects,” Jones said. “Our main project will be to build a boat from start to finish. We’re going to build about a 16-foot flat skiff.”

Students pursuing the new degree will take on projects like woodworking, fiberglass molding — all skills they’ll need to land a job in the area’s boat building industry that’s growing quickly.

“They’ll be knowledgeable about the whole boat building process from start to finish, rather than just having a generic, specific skill,” Jones said.

The 3-course semester won’t cost students anything thanks to the school waiving tuition and fees for all students through 2023 under the Beaufort Promise, letting students focus on courses and new internships that will help them make the jump to the real world.

“Right now in Beaufort County, there’s well over 100 positions open in the boat building industry,” Jones said. “There’s a new manufacturer that came to Beaufort County within the last year that’s looking to hire around 100 as well.”

That manufacturer is Pamlico Yachtworks, which is making a $12 million investment to build boats in Beaufort County.

The course leader says with eight other manufacturers already in business in the area, boat building is on the rise there – and so are the opportunities for students.

“First day of class, I had two different students ask me where can I go get a job working in the boat building industry?” Jones said. “So that’s our goal, is to get them in in the right places and get them good experience.”

The first group of boat building students are set to graduate in Spring 2023.