Yachtbuilder Sunseeker International has launched an intensive boatbuilding course with the aim of attracting fresh talent into the industry to counter the UK’s current “national skills shortage”, the company says. The course is the first offering of the newly created Sunseeker Skills Academy, which was developed in partnership with Bournemouth and Poole College.
Alex Bowman, head of organisational development at Sunseeker International, explains: “We aim to start 100 new boatbuilders through our Skills Academy in 2023, which will complement our existing and award winning apprenticeship programme”. Over the course of 12 weeks, successful applicants will learn trade skills across five boatbuilding specialisms, namely: carpentry; plumbing; composite bonding; engineering; and electrical installations.
Those who make it through training will have the opportunity to further develop their skills with Sunseeker personnel at the company’s Poole facility, with the chance of obtaining a Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship Standard, accredited by the Institute for Apprentices and Technical Education and with quality assurance provided by the UK Government’s Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (OFQUAL). Sunseeker tells Ship & Boat International: “The course is fully funded, and all candidates are paid during the Skills Academy training. No prior experience related to boatbuilding or engineering is necessary; we are looking for candidates who have a passion for construction in a marine setting.”
Phil Sayles, principal and CEO at Bournemouth and Poole College, adds: “We are delighted to be expanding our work with Sunseeker, a key local business. This initiative will enable the creation of skilled jobs and bring more prosperity to our area.” Sunseeker recently announced that its workforce received a 17% increase in hourly pay since 2021. As of April this year, the builder’s global order book was valued at £600 million (US$752 million), with approximately £40 million (US$50.1 million) earmarked for investment in new product development over the next three years.
