Hay Runner's cabinet shop in Rockport, in partnership with EducateMaine, is excited to offer a new approach to bringing in the next generation of woodworkers. Starting this September, our apprentice program will combine paid on-the-job training with an intentional curriculum to integrate aspiring cabinet makers into the trades.

Unlike fifty years ago, kids aren’t growing up with a garage full of tools at their disposal. Those parents that spent evenings and weekends tinkering and fixing, building and repairing are endangered species. Fewer homeowners are tackling house projects themselves and even fewer have the skill sets and tools to attempt them. This means kids aren’t growing up searching for the right size wrenches to hand to their dads, or learning how to use elbow grease and leverage to their advantage.

Integration into the trades by osmosis seems like it is in the past.

Over the course of three years (6,000 hours), in a specially designed training program, apprentices will learn the foundations of woodworking and cabinetry, high-end casework, millwork, window and door production, and finally installation, all while being a contributing member of the shop team. In addition, proper tool and material identification, application, and maintenance, shop safety policies and procedures, and company systems will be covered in the curriculum.