VIPCA MARINE APPRENTICESHIP
Recruitment for the 2025 program will begin in April, please check back then to register.
VIPCA is founder of a 501(c)(3) charity arm called the Marine Rebuild Fund (MRF) with the aim of boosting VI employment opportunities in the marine industry by creating marine education training / development programs. MRF is fiscally sponsored by Community Foundation Virgin Islands (CFVI). MRF raises funding year-round for the annual month-long intensive “Marine Apprenticeship” which provides training in the marine industry to young adults from St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix in partnership with Cruz Bay Watersports. VIPCA is recognised by the USVI Department of Labour (DOL) as an Eligible Training Provider, and the 12-month program is recognised by DOL as a Registered Apprenticeship. VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship training includes:
- 5 day sailing course at St Thomas Yacht Club
- Sail and power-boat operation with passengers including seamanship, upkeep and customer service
- Swimming
- SCUBA diving
- First Aid and CPR (certification)
- Boating Safety (certification)
- Navigation, Rules of the Road and other theory
- Marina and dock management
- Charter Vessel Maintenance and Charter Business Operation
- Technical skill and proficiency on diesel engines, outboards, electrical systems, plumbing
- Marine jobs in Government Agencies / US Coast Guard
- Five-day STCW Basic Training (Standards of Training and Certification of Watch-keeping) worth $1200 per student.
A mentorship and scholarship program follows these apprentices to careers as captains and crew with VIPCA’s continued support of their careers being made successful in the Marine Industry.
Any student of the VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship, after 360 days sea-time, could qualify to be a certified Operator of an Un-inspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) Captain. Continuation of training from the VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship can be fully funded with any graduate entering the 12-month paid work placement for accruement of sea time before being sponsored in sitting the Captains course.
Sponsor A Marine Apprentice
You can sponsor a student for $2,500 for a 5 week intensive on-the-water training including the STCW certification which is itself worth $1,200 and permits graduating students to work immediately onboard a vessel in international waters. Donate to Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands and specify that your donation is for the “Marine Rebuild Fund”