WHAT IS PROJECT SAIL?
Project SAIL (Successful Apprenticeships and Investments in Learning) is BMC’s after-school program. It offers an engaging learning experience to teens, ages 15-18, with an interest in maritime activities.
Project SAIL includes elements designed to improve educational achievement and provides apprentices with a basic understanding of post-secondary opportunities. Using a career-centered approach, Project SAIL apprentices will be motivated to explore career pathways and understand more clearly the connection between high school achievement and life. Apprentices will develop the transferable skills necessary in the classroom and on the job, and gain a greater sense of self and future.
Project SAIL includes assistance succeeding in and finishing high school, a healthy and supportive after school environment, and training in fundamental job-site and vocational skills.
The Fall session of Project SAIL will begin in October 2017. For more information or registration information, contact firstname.lastname@example.org.
Often a sail or a ride in the Boston Whaler becomes an apprentice’s first experience in any boat at all.
For more information contact us at email@example.com
WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES FOR APPLYING?
The only requirement is the initiative and motivation to be successful, as demonstrated in aspects of the applicant’s program application. Apprentices will receive a modest stipend upon successful completion after the first 4 weeks and the second 4 weeks.
Apprentices have built two St. Ayles skiffs which are usually seen being rowed on Presque Isle Bay during fair weather.
WHY PROJECT SAIL?
The 21st Century requires a skilled workforce. A high school diploma alone will often no longer suffice. BMC is currently working to develop programming that will give Erie residents the skills to capitalize on a current 20 percentage shortage of workers in the maritime industry.
With many baby boomers retiring from the industry in the next ten years, this shortage is projected by the United States Coast Guard to rise to 35 percent. These family-sustaining jobs offer stable employment, good income, and great career prospects.
In addition to the national need for maritime workers, there are opportunities here in Erie as well. The Port of Erie includes the largest dry-dock and crane on the Great Lakes, a full service shipyard, 300,000 square feet of warehouse space, a Foreign Trade Zone, a Keystone Opportunity Zone, and 6,000 feet of deep draft dock face.