General Interest & Trades Apprentice - Nbb

Nichols Bros. Boat Builders (NBBB) has been building boats on beautiful Whidbey Island since 1964. We are located in Freeland, WA where we produce state‑of‑the‑art vessels—tugs, ferries, fire boats, fishing vessels, barges, dinner boats, and many other sophisticated ships. Our sister company Everett Ship Repair (ESR) and Shared Ice Services represent Ice Cap Holdings’ presence in the maritime community of the Pacific Northwest.

We are seeking candidates to fill our Apprentice and Electrician In‑Training roles in the following trades:
Marine Pipe fitters, Marine Painters, Machinery Assemblers, Production Welders, Ship Fitter/Fabricators, and Electricians. NBBB’s Apprenticeship program develops a sustainable core workforce of journey persons with the full body of on‑the‑job and trade knowledge necessary to fill vital workforce gaps.

The program provides employment, education, and training of technical skills under experienced journeymen and technical experts. It includes classroom instruction that meets Washington State Department of Labor & Industries requirements. Apprentices must maintain a cumulative average of 80 % and complete coursework as required.

Depending on the trade, apprentices (or pre‑apprentices) will learn to build vessel structures, hull components, piping systems, machinery installations, alignments, and prepare surfaces for painting or structural welding. Each trade has specific functions; for example, Marine Pipe fitters fabricate and install all piping systems on the ship, Ship Fitter/Fabricators fabricate and install hull pieces and equipment foundations, and Welders weld hulls, foundations, and miscellaneous items.

In addition to trade‑specific duties, all apprentices perform:

• Safe work practices and housekeeping procedures.
• Teamwork, skill adaptation, interpretation, and problem‑solving.
• Clear oral and written communication.
• Other tasks as directed.

• Regular attendance during classes and presentations.
• Performance on practical exams and completion of required classwork, including passing required tests.
• Daily recording and tracking of on‑the‑job training hours.
• Weekly sign‑off on hours by a journeyman or above.
• Monthly submission of hours tracking form to supervisors.

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 18 years of age or older at time of application.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, work at heights of 60 ft, enter confined spaces, and work in small work spaces at odd angles.
• Basic mathematics skills.
• Basic hand and power tools knowledge.
• Willingness to learn the trade and attend required training.
• Experience using safe work practices.
• Availability to attend between 144 and 216 hours per year of classroom training during non‑regular work hours (unpaid).
• Experience working around heavy machinery, equipment, and teamwork.
• Completion of a craft‑related technical training program or equivalent craft work experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Proof of U.S. person status.
• Willingness to submit to a drug screen and background check.
• No felony convictions of theft, deception, drug, or violent crimes.
• Academic ability to succeed in the program.
• Motivation to continuously improve knowledge and skills.
• Integrity to complete all assigned academic work independently.
• High reliability in task accomplishment and time‑keeping.

• Company‑funded commuter benefit for Washington State Ferry System riders.
• 401(k) and 401(k) matching.
• Health insurance.
• Health savings account.
• Dental insurance.
• Group life insurance with optional supplemental life and disability insurance programs.
• Paid time off.
• Vision insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Culture of learning through state‑certified apprenticeship programs.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
Nichols Bros. Boat Builders is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, political affiliation, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability. Nichols Bros. Boat Builders is a drug‑free workplace, and all applicants are subject to a pre‑employment drug screen and a background check.