Urban Boatbuilders Steering Youth Toward Success

The nonprofit organization turns hands-on learning into skills, confidence and career opportunities for youth. 

This article marks the seventh in a series highlighting Ramsey County Workforce Solutions’ partners. These community-based organizations deliver specialized employment and training services on behalf of the county. Their efforts expand access to workforce programs through career exploration, job-readiness training and paid work experiences for individuals facing barriers to employment. They are integral in strengthening the local workforce ecosystem and helping residents move toward stable, long-term employment. 

A finished vessel is more than craftsmanship at Urban Boatbuilders in Saint Paul, Minnesota; it also represents dozens of small decisions, listening to teammates, correcting errors and keeping up momentum. Young people at this nonprofit organization in Ramsey County are learning these skills and responsibilities to prepare for employment, education and life beyond the workshop.  

Urban Boatbuilders is among the community-based organizations that Ramsey County Workforce Solutions partners with to help residents explore workforce options. The organization’s approach is valuable, providing youth ages 12 and up the chance to develop skills, learn workplace expectations and explore career possibilities. 

“Our goal is for young people to be able to break cycles of generational poverty and attain self-sufficiency through sustainable career pathways,” said Noah Gerding, Urban Boatbuilders’ Director of Development and Community Engagement.

A unique starting point into the workforce

Urban Boatbuilders began more than three decades ago as a way to give formerly incarcerated young people an opportunity to work with their hands and learn a trade by building boats. Since then, work has expanded to include paid apprenticeships in 2000 and school-based programs, creating opportunities for youth at any skill level and stage of development. Thanks to partnerships with schools and youth organizations, its programs introduce young people to woodworking through projects that require planning, precision and cooperation.

“When youth have access to expanded learning opportunities at school, in the community and at home, they are more likely to gain the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to lead and succeed,” said Gerding.

Students aren’t just studying a design, but they’re bringing it to life. Instructors help students work through possible frustrations, share responsibility and take pride in their efforts to restore or build boats. From construction sites to manufacturing floors, these skills translate easily to every workplace.

“Boatbuilding requires troubleshooting, creative thinking, project and time management, group communication and leadership skills,” said Gerding. “Youth gain perseverance, problem-solving and highly transferable skills to prepare them for their next steps of continued education, certification, or a career in the trades.”

Older youth and young people up to age 21 can join the organization’s Apprenticeship Program, which combines workshop experience with lessons on topics such as managing money, communicating in a professional setting and planning projects. The program also helps apprentices explore their next steps, such as continuing their education or entering the workforce.

“To a young person, relationships with caring instructors allow for successes they never knew were possible,” said Gerding.

A testimony where opportunity became leadership

In 2024, a young person named Hayden joined Urban Boatbuilders after hearing about the program from a high school teacher. Unfortunately, not long after joining, he lost his mother, and his grandmother was hospitalized, causing him to step away from the organization. A staff instructor told Hayden to call or come back if he needed a job, so he did, and the rest is history.

Now, Hayden is a youth instructor at Urban Boatbuilders, helping young people just like him learn and grow. “I want to make sure the next group coming into the workforce has a good example of a supervisor—so they know what right looks like,” he said.

Hayden’s progression is a powerful example of how an early opportunity like Urban Boatbuilders can become a platform for helping others.

A community investment creating talent and opportunity

Urban Boatbuilders’ work is amplified through the Partnership Program, extending learning and career exploration to school districts and organizations for youth beginning at 12. Together, these relationships translate learning into real opportunities and expose young people to the workforce and careers they may not have considered.

“Urban Boatbuilders creates an engaging experience that challenges students to express themselves, deepen academic and design skills and practice leadership, project management, and teamwork through the art of woodworking,” said Gerding.

If you’re interested in learning more about Urban Boatbuilders, visit their website. For more information on Ramsey County’s workforce, including finding a job, initiatives, resources, and more, head to the Ramsey County Community and Economic Development workforce page.