Princess Yachts highlights marine industry
Last week (9-13 March 2015) British Marine Federation (BMF) member Princess Yachts joined forces with fellow marine businesses from the South West to spotlight marine apprenticeships during 2015’s National Apprenticeship Week (NAW).
Co-ordinated by National Apprenticeship Service and supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the week is focusing on the positive impact apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
Over the years the BMF, the trade association for the leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry, has been working with its members to support apprentices and ensure that the industry, which brings £908.6 million worth of turnover to the South West and employs 9,285 people, continues to thrive.
Plymouth based Princess Yachts runs a successful apprenticeship scheme in a bid to develop its future workforce. Eugene Van Jaarsveldt, Director of HR at Princess Yachts commented: “Princess Yachts have provided opportunities to over 300 apprentices over the last few years. As an employer we believe it is crucial to support local employment and provide opportunities resulting in skills for life.”
Hayley Spencer, a current engineering apprentice at the company commented: “Princess Yachts is one of the major engineering companies within Plymouth. The apprenticeship has helped me with my engineering knowledge both mechanical and electrical, and shown me what it’s like to work in an engineering environment. I would recommend the Princess Yachts apprenticeship scheme because you are not set to one type of engineering – at Princess you learn both electrical and mechanical which gives you better knowledge and better prospects for the future.”
Clarrissa-Lillie Barkess, also am engineering apprentice at Princess Yachts added: “I have always been builing and taking things apart to see how they work. At the age of 18 I was looking for an engineering apprenticeship around Plymouth. I had been to all the open days Princess Yachts had held and they stood out because I wouldn’t just be learning one subject, I would learn mechanical, electrical, plumbing and composites. From the apprentice I have gained more confidence in my own work and skills in plumbing which I never thought I would have.”
Sarah Dhanda, Senior Federation Director of the British Marine Federation explains: “There are a range of skills and careers in the building of boats, from engineers through to riggers, carpenters and electricians. By developing marine apprenticeships further we are ensuring the continued quality of the industry’s training programme. We will be preserving much needed skills and ensuring the sector is well placed for the future, whilst crucially maintaining a strong profile both in government and within young people.”
Throughout 2015’s National Apprenticeship Week the BMF, alongside its members and BIS, promoted events and activities which allow the public to explore the background, daily life, and achievements of marine apprentices.
