IYRS School of Technology & Trades

IYRS School of Technology & Trades was founded in Newport, RI in 1993 with the goal of educating students in the art and science of historic wooden boat restoration. Since that time, IYRS has expanded its offerings to four immersive, nationally accredited programs: Boatbuilding & Restoration, Composites Technology, Digital Modeling & Fabrication, and Marine Systems.

The IYRS student body is diverse and includes women and men who are high school or college graduates, veterans, and career changers seeking a hands-on, experiential education with which to begin or enhance their careers. IYRS’s accredited programs range from 6-20 months. More than 700 employers seek to hire our graduates.

IYRS students go on to rewarding and successful careers which positively impact our collective world. Since 2016, our graduates have been employed by Mystic Seaport Museum on the historic Mayflower II restoration, New York Yacht Club American Magic in pursuit of the 2021 America’s Cup, Hinckley Yachts, Safe Harbor New England Boatworks, McMillen Yachts, Gannon & Benjamin, Arey’s Pond Boatyard, Crosby Boatworks, Derektor, Whiticar, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, East Passage Boatwrights, Independence Seaport Museum, Baltic Boatworks, and many other highly respected companies and organizations. Additionally, many IYRS alumni have started their own businesses and regularly hire new graduates coming out of IYRS programs.

IYRS is unique in its curriculum and is the only school of its kind in Rhode Island and one of only a handful in the world. Students come from throughout New England, the United States and the world to attend IYRS.

Mission Statement
IYRS empowers students through immersive, hands-on learning to realize their full potential in career and in life.