The Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA) is accepting applications for two marine-based educational programs free to USVI public school students and young adults.
Apply now for the Junior Sailing Summer Program (ages 13-17)at vipca.org/junior-sailing-summer-program. The swimming portion takes place twice weekly from June 17 to July 12 at the St. Thomas Swimming Association pool, while the sailing segment held at the St. Thomas Yacht Club is Monday-Friday from July 15 to July 26, 2024. Land and sea sailing instruction includes understanding the parts of a boat, navigation skills, reading weather and conditions, safety basics, and of course plenty of sailing.
The Junior Sailing Summer Program is free to eligible USVI public school students thanks to the annual $25,000 sponsorship by RapierMed, a USVI financial services and venture capital firm.
Summer program participation opens the door to enrollment in the year-round IGY Marinas-sponsored after-school sailing program, held during the public school term on Wednesday afternoons.
Apply now for VIPCA’s Marine Apprenticeship program (ages 18- to 29), from June 20 to July 19, for young adult USVI residents (who graduated from a USVI public high school) at vipca.org/youth-training. The four-week program provides intensive captains and STCW (Standards of Training and Certification of watch-keeping) training including first aid and CPR certification; sea survival, and fire fighting.
Sixty-five students have graduated from the Marine Apprenticeship since it started in 2017, with 37 entering the USVI marine industry workforce.
The Marine Apprenticeship is free to participants, sponsored by the Island Foundation. All VIPCA-directed training programs are fiscally sponsored by the Marine Rebuild Fund within the community foundation of the Virgin Islands.
To date, 14 graduates of the VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship program have obtained their U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License, with 11 additional graduates currently working toward their sea time before taking their exams later this year.
Apply for the VIPCA Junior Sailing Summer Program at vipca.org/junior-sailing-summer-program or for the VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship atvipca.org/youth-training.
