Shipwrights' Apprenticeship Scheme

The Shipwrights Company Apprenticeship Scheme has now closed after eight highly successful years, and these pages are now archived and no longer active or updated. The SA Scheme was an ambitious and innovative programme that operated successfully for eight years from 2014 to 2022. During the scheme some £785,000 was allocated to 94 small marine businesses allowing them to employ 125 young people on formal Level 3 apprenticeships complete with college education. The SA Scheme’s strength lay in the fact that it addressed a real need which resulted in the substantial initial grant from Lloyd’s Register Foundation without which nothing would have been possible. However, its success is directly attributable to the experience, professional expertise and dedication of those members of Shipwrights’ Company who served on its committee and the employment of a full-time manager working within the established structure of the Shipwrights’ Company. The Company has written a Post Operation Report which it hopes contains sufficient of the acquired knowledge and experience gained that the SA Scheme, or a similar venture, could be repeated by the Shipwrights’ Company or any other Livery Company.

For an overview of the Scheme’s modus operandi and service please read on below. You can also click on and read the apprentice reports/case studies from every year of the Scheme’s operation. To see an interactive map and a list of clickable links to most of the employers we have sponsored on the Scheme click on the ‘Shipwrights Apprenticeship Scheme Employers’ page.

If you are an business or individual and seeking further and advice information on apprenticeships please contact: info@britishmarine.co.uk

The main colleges/training providers for apprenticeships in the marine industry which you could contact for further information are:

Marine Engineering - Engines and Propulsion Apprenticeship Level 3 | Bournemouth and Poole College (thecollege.co.uk)

Boat Building Apprenticeship (Composites and Wood Trades) | Bournemouth and Poole College (thecollege.co.uk)

Marine Skills Centre - City College (southampton-city.ac.uk)

Marchwood Construction & Marine Technologies Centre | Brockenhurst College

South Devon College Marine Academy - South Devon College

Marine Engineering & Boatbuilding - Falmouth Marine School

Find the right Apprenticeship Vacancy for you | Falmouth Marine School

Marine Apprenticeships | Boat Building Courses| - Paragon Skills

What marine apprenticeships are available?

New apprenticeship standards have been developed in Marine Engineering, Boatbuilder and Marina and Boatyard Operative. Fresh standards in Marine Electrician are also under development. These new standards are all set at level 3 which is equivalent to two ‘A’ levels. This means a marine apprenticeship programme is now more challenging than ever before, attracting talented young people who are ready to meet the demands of a modern marine business like yours. Standards are also reviewed regularly to ensure they are still relevant to the fast-changing needs of the sector. In academic year 2019-20, we also funded for the first time our first Workboat Crewmember Apprentices at level 3, working for a commerical marine organisation. In 2020-21 we will also begin funding the new Boatmaster apprenticeship standard for commercial operators on the Thames and elsewhere. A very exciting development!

What are apprenticeship standards?

Standards are designed and written by a group of representative employers and not solely by academics. They outline the knowledge, skills and behaviours that a role requires. Because they are designed by employers from the sector, they are relevant, contemporary, and designed to be ‘fit for purpose’ for your business. Under these new standards, the apprentice is now independently assessed at the end of their training. Therefore, their final grade is awarded in an impartial and objective way – just as with all other qualifications. Standards are also reviewed regularly to ensure they are still relevant to the fast changing needs of the sector.

The Shipwrights Company bursaries and how they can help…

Established in 2014, and supported by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, the Baltic Exchange Charitable Foundation and other donors, the Shipwrights company has been offering grants to approximately 20 employers a year to financially support an apprentice in their first year. The initial year is often the most financially difficult for an employer when recruiting a new apprentice - and at the Shipwrights we understand the pressures on an SME business. The bursary is only open to SMEs businesses who do not pay into, or benefit from, the apprenticeship levy.

What other help is available?

Your dedicated scheme manager will:

Help you with the ‘end to end’ application process
Refer you to a training provider that can meet your needs
Advise on managing an apprenticeship programme from recruitment to graduation
Provide information, advice and guidance on apprenticeship standards
Signpost you to further training opportunities through our partners at British Marine….and so much more!
Interested in applying or just finding our more....
Then contact our dedicated bursary scheme manager at sascheme@shipwrights.co.uk

Lloyd's Register Foundation

The Lloyd's Register Foundation's strategy for 2014-2020 focuses funding on four strategic themes: promoting safety and public understanding of risk; advancing skills and education; supporting excellent scientific research, and accelerating the application of research. The Shipwright's Apprenticeship Scheme satisfies the second of these strategic themes; advancing skills and education. For more information on the LR Foundation, the projects they fund, and how to apply and get involved click on their website logo below.

The Shipwrights' Company Apprenticeship Scheme

Apprentice Case Studies

2021-22 apprentices (mid-year and final progress reports)

2020-21 apprentices

2019-20 apprentices

2018-19 apprentices

A selection of case studies from earlier years of our Apprenticeship Scheme

Read the latest news on the Shipwrights' Apprenticeship Scheme

Shipwrights Apprenticeship manager visits Dominic Guille at Ribeye Boats, Dartmouth.

Shipwrights Apprenticeship Scheme Manager meets apprentice Jack Sullivan of Cockwells

Mike Carr, MD of of Pendennis Shipyard, visits Marcus Lewis Wooden Boatbuilder in Fowey.

Shipwrights Apprenticeship Scheme Manager and Scheme Chairman visit City College Southampton.

Apprentice Charlie Moore proudly shows off his new Worshipful Company of Shipwrights overalls!

Queen’s Silver Medal Awards Ceremony.

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