The Marine Apprenticeship Program though VIPCA’s 501(c)(3) educational non-profit arm, the Marine Rebuild Fund (MRF), aims to increase employment opportunities for Virgin Islanders in the marine industry through the creation of marine education, training, and development programs.  The Marine Rebuild Fund raises funding year-round for the annual month-long intensive “VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship” which provides training in the marine industry to young adults from St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix in partnership with Cruz Bay Watersports. To date, nearly 100 Virgin Islanders have benefited from this program. The Marine Rebuild Fund is fiscally sponsored by Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI).

VIPCA is recognized by the USVI Department of Labour (DOL) as an Eligible Training Provider, and the 12-month program is recognized by DOL as a Registered Apprenticeship. VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship is free for participants and includes:

• ASA 101 Basic Keelboat (certification) – 5 day sailing course at St Thomas Yacht Club
• First Aid and CPR (certification)
• Boating Safety (certification)
• STCW Basic Training (Standards of Training and Certification of Watch-keeping)
• Sail and power-boat operation with passengers including seamanship, upkeep and customer service
• Swimming
• SCUBA diving
• Navigation, Rules of the Road and other theory
• Marina and dock management
• Charter Vessel Maintenance and Charter Business Operation
• Technical overview of marine trades (diesel engines, outboards, electrical systems, plumbing, etc).
• Marine jobs in Government Agencies / US Coast Guard 

A mentorship and scholarship program follows these apprentices to careers as captains and crew with VIPCA’s continued support of their careers being made successful in the Marine Industry.

Any student of the VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship, after 360 days sea-time, could qualify to be a certified Operator of an Un-inspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) Captain. Continuation of training from the VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship can be fully funded with any graduate entering the 12-month paid work placement for accruement of sea time before being sponsored in sitting the Captains course.