U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) was joined today by the staffs of the International Yacht Restoration School and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation to announce federal funding for IYRS' new Composites Technology Program. Senator Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured half a million dollars in the fiscal year 2010 appropriations spending bill to help establish this program, which will train skilled technicians and innovators for industries that are central to the state's economic development. Senator Reed was joined by a crowd of marine industry leaders and state and local dignitaries at the announcement, which took place at the IYRS Bristol campus where the composites program will begin this September.

“The boating industry employs thousands of Rhode Islanders, and we have an opportunity to help businesses grow and create more jobs right here in the state. This federal funding will help train more marine workers and give them hands-on experience, not just in building boats, but in working with new, green technology. Investing in this program will help us build a more competitive workforce and fuel future economic growth,” said Senator Reed.

Senator Reed's announcement was followed by remarks by RIEDC Executive Director Keith Stokes and IYRS President Terry Nathan.

The IYRS Composites Technology Program—the first of its kind in the rapidly growing composites field—is targeted to meet the needs of the marine industry, but graduates will have a choice of career paths since the high strength-to-weight ratio of composite materials pioneered by boat builders is now in demand by many industries. 

“Workforce development is a key component to re-energizing Rhode Island’s economy,” said Keith Stokes, Executive Director of the RIEDC. “IYRS’ composites program will provide students with the necessary skill sets needed to succeed in the diversified industries we have in the Ocean State including marine trades, manufacturing and wind energy.”

According to the American Composites Manufacturers Association, in the U.S. alone the composites industry employs about 550,000 people and generates almost $70 billion in revenues per year. The marine industry was a pioneer in the use of modern composites: Boat builders were experimenting with fiberglass construction as early as the 1930s and produced the first fiberglass boats in the '40s; in the '60s, the marine market was the largest consumer of composite materials. Today, a wide range of industries that manufacture structures that need to be light in weight yet strong, durable, and corrosion resistant use composites as a structural material.

The IYRS program is a nine-month, full-time course that will give students a foundation in composites processes, techniques, and technology—ranging from general composites that employ glass fiber and polyester resin, to advanced composites that employ high-strength/high-modulus fibers and advanced resin systems. The program places a stronger emphasis on advanced composites, which are generally greener because they produce less emissions in the manufacturing process.

"Our marine trade partners and the State's economic development folks look to IYRS and its highly regarded programming as a source for well trained, passionate craftspeople," said IYRS President Terry Nathan. "These people are essential to meet the skilled labor demand for the emerging opportunities in advanced composites—both in the marine trades and other industries where these materials are being employed.”

To develop the program, IYRS formed an Industry Advisory Council comprised of individuals with a broad range of expertise in the marine industry, the composites industry, and general business. The committee includes representation from organizations such as the American Composites Manufacturers Association, the RIEDC, and marine-industry leaders such as Core Composites, Hall Spars & Rigging, and New England Boatworks.

The International Yacht Restoration School offers technical training for the marine industry through three full-time programs in Boatbuilding & Restoration, Marine Systems, and, as of September 2010, Composites Technology—complemented by shorter term Continuing Education courses. IYRS' two locations in Newport and Bristol, Rhode Island, are uniquely suited to the programs offered at each locale: the waterfront campus in Newport, home to the Boatbuilding & Restoration program, includes two historic buildings from 1831 and 1903 and is the site of notable historic restorations, including the restoration of the rare 1885 schooner yacht Coronet; the Bristol teaching facility, home to the Marine Systems and Composites Technology programs, is based at the Franklin Street Marine Corridor, a recently developed industrial/educational complex where students mix with marine-industry companies.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 16 March 2010 )