Boatbuilding Apprentice Program |
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Mission and History
Apprentice Program Description
The hands on, GED curriculum introduces the necessary concepts and skills through the experience of working in a wooden boat shop and training for a career in carpentry and the other building trades.
ResultsThe apprenticeship program typically graduates 69 percent of those who continued in the program beyond the initial three-week trial period. Applying for the ProgramApplications are accepted at any time. To apply, print and fill out the application (link to a pdf copy, below). You may submit it ahead of time or bring it the day of the mandatory pretest. Mandatory GED pretests are held the second Wednesday of the month at 8:30 am at 2 Duke St. and other times as arranged with Darius Ligon, the Academic Instructor. Call 703-399-1899 to schedule. Those who pass the pretest will be drug tested. Those who pass both the pretest and the drug test will come back for an interview on the third Wednesday of the month, or a day of the instructors' choosing, at 9:00 am at 2 Duke St. Classes start roughly every two months. Applications are accepted by mail and fax at:
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Through the building and use of wooden boats, ASF helps young people turn their lives around and provides families, community groups and schools with meaningful educational, social and recreational experiences. Since 1992, ASF’s focus has been a paid, work-based apprentice program serving DC, Maryland and Virginia. Here, disadvantaged youths from the ages of 17–21 develop the discipline, self confidence, workshop and social skills necessary to find a meaningful place in the regular workforce. If necessary, they also earn their GED using ASF’s hands on, contextual curriculum. 
The work day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. at our 2 Duke St. Shop. Hours are divided among the academic classroom, the hands-on math and science classroom, and the workshop. Apprentices are paid a bi-weekly stipend after the completion of a three-week trial period and earn periodic bonuses for completion of set program goals. Applicants who enter the program are given an initial unpaid three-week screening period during which they may choose to drop out without prejudice (i.e., they may apply for readmission at a later time and be considered without prejudice.) A bonus is paid tor those who successfully complete the trial period. For those who remain in the program, the objective is to graduate within five months, for those with a high school diploma or GED, seven months for those working toward a GED or with limited English language skills. Using these standards and goals, the failure rate is based on the number who drop out or are terminated after the initial three-week period and before graduation. Success is measured by completion of the program along with one year’s post-apprenticeship work.
There are four full time employees and four part time employees at the Foundation. A large volunteer base contributes over 10,000 program hours annually. Apprentices work side by side with staff and volunteers who often are the most reliable adults in their lives. These adults are on hand to assist the apprentices in dealing with issues concerning the court system, city agencies, DMV, procurement of automobiles, and/or personal problems which they may find difficult to address.
The Alexandria Seaport Foundation provides solutions for risk factors such as criminal records, gang affiliation, anger management, refugees, learning disabilities, and substance abuse. Staff and volunteers provide whatever means necessary to address these challenges.