On Nov. 6, just two days before the start of National Apprenticeship Week celebrations across the country, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum had its own reason to celebrate, with its first shipwright apprentice officially graduating from its now certified program.

Zachary Haroth, a native of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., joined CBMM after a year of study at the Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building in Port Townsend, Wash. He also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture from the State University of New York at New Paltz.

“On behalf of the Maryland Department of Labor, I congratulate the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum on the graduation of their first apprentice in the occupation of Shipwright,” said Maryland Labor Secretary Tiffany P. Robinson. “This innovative shipbuilding program, originally approved by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program in July 2018, is the first and only program in the state helping to preserve Maryland’s maritime heritage. We hope to continue to support many future graduates from this very unique apprenticeship program.”

CBMM is proud to be engaged in certified workforce training, with its four-year apprenticeship program registered by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation. CBMM’s program covers 8,000 hours of real work experiences, as well as leadership and management skill development. Through the program, apprentices gain a working knowledge that includes skills such as joinery techniques, ship repair, and construction. CBMM’s shipwright apprentice program is generously funded in part by the Seip Family Foundation.

“The biggest benefit for me is broadening my horizons with some of the certifications that are offered … those are pretty major for me to put on a resume,” said Haroth, who finishes the program with certifications in both welding and marine electrical systems.

Post-graduation, Haroth isn’t going far—he’s since been hired by CBMM as a full-time shipwright to work on its construction of Maryland Dove, a reproduction of the vessel that accompanied the first European settlers to Maryland in 1634.

“We are very excited for Zach,” said CBMM President Kristen Greenaway. “The public may not see our apprenticeship program as typical for a ‘museum,’ yet investing in the shipwright craft is a top priority for CBMM, and having a certified workforce training program furthers our growing investment in the Eastern Shore and Maryland for generations to come.”