Berthon, the Lymington-based shipyard, marina and international yacht broker, hosted the latest ‘Trailblazer’ meeting on 10 March 2015 to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, and were joined by companies including Sunseeker, Green Marine, the RNLI and Princess Yachts. The aim of the group is to create a new apprenticeship standard and assessment plan for boatbuilding, having been given the task by the Apprenticeships Unit run by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Keith Longman, Yard Manager at Berthon said: ‘Our Trailblazer group are excited at the opportunity to influence the training delivery of our apprentices like we have never had before.  The government’s strategy that apprenticeship training should be employer led is welcomed by us and we will embrace the challenge to build a standard that will deliver the competence and behaviors that we require now and in the future.’

Whilst apprenticeships already exist within the industry, the recommendations of the group will ensure that the training schemes and qualifications offered meet the needs of the current and future economy. During 2013-2014, over 850,000 were engaged in apprenticeships nationwide, with 70 per cent of trainess continuing to work for the same employer once they had completed their schemes.

The new Boatbuilding Refit, Repair & Maintenance (Marine) Apprenticeship Trailblazer will commence in September 2015. To apply for an apprenticeship with Berthon, go to www.Berthon.co.uk

Sarah Dhanda, Senior Federation Director at British Marine Federation, said: ‘By developing the apprentice scheme further we are ensuring the 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.’