Shipwright Apprentice

Summary

If you feel you have the determination and drive to complete a boat building apprenticeship, UKD Mashfords will give you the opportunity to develop and learn your trade in a supportive and encouraging environment. You will learn extensively how to build, maintain and repair a large variety of vessels.

Wage

£15,311.40 to £24,761.88, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

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National Wage for Apprenticeships will rise in April 2025

Training course

Boatbuilder (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday. Shifts tbc.

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

3 years 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

Assisting in routine maintenance and refit work
Painting, varnishing and finishing
Working with wood, GRP, steel and rubber
Assisting with slipping and unslipping of vessels
Collar maintenance
Assisting with the completion of annual work packages

A Shipwright Apprentice at UKD Mashfords will learn how to fit out and conduct boatbuilding repairs TO MOD and private vessels. You will learn how to complete complex internal and external GRP, Wood and steel repairs on a variety of craft.

You will learn traditional wooden boatbuilding skills. This will include how to remove and fit decks or decking systems, how to modify engine beds, fit bulkheads and floors. You will also develop skills in painting, varnishing and finishing.

We will support your development in boat handling, slipping, and unslipping vessels which will give you a rounded skill set to achieve your apprenticeship.

Where you’ll work

SHIPBUILDING YARD
CREMYLL
TORPOINT
CORNWALL
PL10 1HY

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

CITY COLLEGE PLYMOUTH

Your training course

Boatbuilder (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Prepare the work area
Maintain safe, clean and efficient work methods and environments
Identify and minimise hazards and risks in the workplace
Select, use, maintain and store equipment, tools and materials
Follow and maintain work procedures, method statements and production records
Make the most efficient and effective use of resources, time and materials
Prepare for meetings and discussions
Use appropriate listening, questioning, recording and presentation techniques
Use appropriate marine terminology
Use estimating techniques to support discussions
Review and verify designs and plans
Finalise time and cost of the work to be done
Identify and source equipment, machinery, tools and materials
Make, produce and use jigs and templates as required
Set up tools and machinery
Manufacture or repair components to the required specification
Move components using the appropriate safe methods
Check components for robustness, fit and tolerances
Analyse problems with machinery, equipment,
tools and material, proposing/implementing solutions where appropriate
Move, shape and manipulate components to achieve best fit
Select and use appropriate methods for holding materials and components in place during assembly, and for the connecting, fixing and assembly of materials and components
Safeguard materials and components during assembly
Select suitable methods of repair that are effective and maintain original construction
Select suitable methods for fault finding and analysis
Make repairs whilst safeguarding the integrity of components and the surrounding area
Identify, mark, store and organise dismantled parts for reassembly
Determine the order and work methods
Install and fix components using the most appropriate method and material
Ensure that joins are suitably made and treated
Position and fit items
Finalise fit out for deck hardware
Check joins are sealed and fit for purpose
Prepare surfaces, treat suitably and ensure are free from defects and protected
Soften or suitably finish edges
Assess quality of work
Assess fixtures and fittings for quality and stability
Contribute to the commissioning of the boat as required
Assemble required documentation
Brief recipients verbally with necessary documentation

Your training plan

Boatbuilder Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard
Apprentice will train both on site at City College Plymouth and in the workplace

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

Other requirements

Please consider the location of the Apprenticeship and how you will get to and from.

About this company

UK Docks Mashfords is located on the Cornish side of the Tamar Estuary in a natural cove at the extreme north-western tip of the Cremyll Peninsula. The yard has 6 slipways that can accommodate vessels up to 300 tonnes, with 6,000m2 of workshop, covered work area, storage and office space, 3 stone jetties and 7 deep water moorings.

After this apprenticeship

Upon Successful completion of the apprenticeship, the individual will hold a full level 3 standard qualification
Potential of future employment for the right candidate

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