Apprenticeship Program

Matt Pool puts the waterline on the new sloop, Loon

Apprenticeship in traditional boatbuilding at the Arques School occurs at three separate levels, each an independent course in its own right. Applicants must have solid woodworking experience before applying to any level of this program. SATURDAY CLASS IS A PREREQUISITE FOR ENTRY INTO ANY LEVEL OF APPRENTICESHIP, EVEN IF THE APPLICANT HAS WOODWORKING EXPERIENCE. Whereas advanced woodworking applicants are screened for a couple of months in the Saturday Class to assess skill level and work habits, beginning students spend as much time in this class as is necessary to become qualified. The time it takes to become skilled varies a great deal from student to student. THE ARQUES SCHOOL PROVIDES NO FINANCIAL AID OR HOUSING, NOR CAN WE HELP WITH VISA APPLICATIONS SINCE WE ARE NOT A REGISTERED INSTITUTION.

Level One-Fundamentals

Level one is a four-month long expansion on the basics taught in Saturday Class. There is no particular starting time, but class days and times are fixed and must be honored to become and remain qualified for this program. Class days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week. In the School’s Design Class students learn the skills necessary to prepare a full set of lines for an ocean-going boat. They are also assigned home study of reading material that they will be tested on every six weeks. This is mainly the study of two fundamental texts used in the course, Howard Chapelle’s Boatbuilding and by the same author, Yacht Designing and Planning.

Applicants should understand at the outset that the School operates this course in a traditional manner. To become and remain qualified for the course, students must be on time. They must remain focused on the task at hand and avoid unnecessary diversions. Music and cellphones are not allowed. Except for medical reasons, absence from the course is cause for disqualification. Students must at all times abide by the safety and visitation rules laid down by the School.

Tuition: $2,000

Qualification Level Two-Intermediary Application of Theory and Practice

This is a six-month expansion on the material of Level One for students selected from that course. At this level, students deepen their study in Design Class. Students must complete two full sets of lines drawings during this course.

Students of this level are brought in to work on School projects, sometimes under the direction of the instructor and sometimes helping Level Three apprentices. Minimum full class days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Private study of class textbooks and progress on boat designs is mandatory. Testing takes place every six weeks.

Tuition: $3,000 (Please note that students at this Level are offered a chance to work off tuition for in-training work done on School projects.)

Level Three-The Apprenticeship Program

Students accepted into the Apprenticeship Program will be doing advanced work in lofting and boatbuilding on various shop projects, under the direction of the head instructor. Apprentices at this level are paid on a sliding scale, with pay increasing with the productivity of the apprentice. This Apprenticeship has no definite time period but is based on available space in the program, the need of the apprentice, and the judgment of the head instructor.

Further information

Rob Thompson has penned an open letter to current and prospective apprentices. His letter may help answer questions about the program.

Instructors

Robert Darr is the head instructor. He is assisted at different times by various craftsmen and graduates.