Devon marine talent celebrated at TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show 2017

Eleven apprentices from Plymouth’s Princess Yachts took centre stage on Tuesday (19 September). They were honoured by British Marine, the membership organisation for the UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry, at its annual Graduation Ceremony at TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show 2017. 

In its seventh year, the ceremony celebrates graduating apprentices from all areas of the industry, in roles varying from boatbuilding to marine engineers and a number of non-marine specific disciplines like I.T. and Business Administration. Princess Yacht’s Hayley Spencer was the only female graduate at this year’s ceremony, completing her marine engineering apprenticeship.

The marine industry now has over 500 apprentices working and learning in 100 businesses. British Marine is working with an industry led working group to develop a range of the Government’s new Trailblazer apprenticeships. There are three of these new Trailblazer Standards in operation within the marine industry – Boatbuilding, Marine Engineering and the newest offering, Marinas and Boatyards. These new Standards are developed by groups of employers, training providers and colleges to ensure that they meet the full needs of the industry.

Apprenticeships are firmly at the heart of both the industry’s and the Government’s plans for skills development in the UK. The new Maritime Minister, Rt. Hon. John Hayes CBE MP, has challenged businesses to double the number of apprentices they employ and “discuss how apprenticeships can help them succeed by growing the next generation of talent”.

Blue Davies, Training Manager at British Marine, said: “We are delighted to honour these 34 apprentices at our Graduation Ceremony. They really are the future of our industry and the next generation of talent. Apprenticeships are growing across the sector and British Marine is playing its part in their development and growth. However, there is still much more work to do, in particular in encouraging more females into apprenticeships in the industry. There is still some way to go before we reach parity with other industries, but we are making good progress.”

Hayley Spencer, a graduating marine engineering apprentice from Princess Yachts, commented on where she sees her career going now she has completed her apprenticeship: “I want to extend my knowledge and get my Grade 7 and then hopefully travel. I know Princess has a lot of international sites and my ambition is to join their warranty team and hopefully land a job in Australia!”

Hayley also wants to encourage more young people into an apprenticeship in the industry: “I’ve had a little hand in career days, where I go out and talk to those fresh out of school. I never had any help like that, so I like to give something back. I want to go back to my old school and show them what can be done and what is possible.”

A video of the event will be available on the British Marine website soon.