20/9/2023

Celebrating marine apprentices at the Southampton International Boat Show

Tuesday 19 September at the Southampton International Boat Show the focus was on apprenticeships and marine careers. To get the day underway, 69 apprentices from five leading companies in the marine industry came together for a recognition ceremony to celebrate their achievements.

Learning and development consultant, Jasmine Kundra, best known for being on the BBC’s The Apprentice, hosted the event and shared her top tips on what the apprentices should be thinking about as they approach the post apprenticeship phase of their career.  From leveraging opportunities from their apprenticeship journey and using it to carve a long-term sustainable career in this thriving industry to advice about building their personal brand and identifying their support network, to how they contribute to the strategic success of their employers and use it as platform to give back and how to actively be part of company and industry success.

“These young people are very much seen as the future of the industry and have an entire network of supportive people around them, who are very pro their continued development and keen to help elevate their success”, commented Jasmine.

Jasmine was joined by explorer Monty Halls who provided the keynote speech and proved a big hit with the audience as he shared personal anecdotes, as well as emphasizing the importance of learning from your elders and those before you.  “The valuable lessons and experiences the previous generations can impart are invaluable.  Apprenticeships are founded upon this principle and can be seen in practice across cultures, across the globe…none other than within the oldest of all cultures:  Aborigines”, Monty commented.

He also shared his own apprenticeship experience and importance this chapter had on his life and experiences this gave him, that have held him in good stead.  He urged the apprentices in the room to use and take advantage of the valuable skills they have acquired, skills that have set them apart from those that have been to university and reminded them that the world is their oyster!

It was then time for each of the apprentices to collect their recognition ceremony certificates before being invited to take part in a Q&A panel discussion with industry experts, providing a unique opportunity for them to ask questions regarding careers and opportunities in the leisure marine industry.

“Skilled workers are key to the success of our industry, and we are working hard to help achieve this, so seeing so many young apprentices here today gives me great confidence for the future. My congratulations and thanks go to each and every one of the young people present here today, because you are acquiring the skills and knowledge that our industry needs”, commented Paul Gullett, President, British Marine.

Later in the afternoon it was time for the British Marine Careers event, giving students from year 10 upwards, and from colleges and universities, the perfect opportunity to meet with employers from across the marine sector and to ask those burning questions.  Twenty-Two companies and training providers were on hand to offer marine career advice to young people, their parents, and guardians, as well as those looking for a career change.  Those who attended the event were also given free ticket to visit the show the following day.

Special thanks to the Marine Resources, Aqueduct Marina, Marine Society and Sea Cadets, Bournemouth & Poole College, Carnival UK, Royal Yachting Association, South Hampshire College Group, Warsash and Solent University, IBTC, Val Wyatt Marine Ltd, Berthon Boat Company Ltd, Chartwell Marine Ltd, Oyster Yachts Ltd and boatfolk Marinas Ltd, Brockenhurst College, Cowes Enterprise College, Solent Apprenticeship & Skills Hub, UKSA, Marine Industry News, Andrew Simpson Foundation and Gac Pindar for their time and for making the event such a success.

Maritime UK Solent were also delighted to be part of the first SIBS23 careers fair held today commenting: “The quality of conversations between exhibitors and visitors was absolutely top notch, and it’s wonderful to see the young people so engaged with their own career development planning. Young people and their parents or guardians walked away from today’s event inspired and enthusiastic as to what a career in the leisure marine or wider maritime sector can offer, and impatient to get started. Already looking forward to helping you develop this offer further for SIBS24!”

Manj Mahey, Head of Training at British Marine concluded by saying: “We have had an absolutely amazing day here at the show. There has been real buzz around all the different sessions with amazing speakers providing a wealth of knowledge and advice to apprentices, school, college and university students. We really hope that everyone enjoyed themselves and were able to take away some useful pieces of information from our experts.”

Congratulations to all our apprentices:

Forename Surname Organisation Apprenticeship
Meg McCann Pendennis Shipyard Installation Electrician / Maintenance Electrician
Poppy Stevens-Fleming Pendennis Shipyard Surface Finisher
Connor Lockhart Pendennis Shipyard Surface Finisher
Hayden Robinson Pendennis Shipyard Surface Finisher
Tom Heywood Pendennis Shipyard Metal Fabricator
Charlie Armstrong Pendennis Shipyard Marine Engineer
Alex Keast Pendennis Shipyard Installation Electrician / Maintenance Electrician
Harrison McGuire Pendennis Shipyard Marine Engineer
Joe Songhurst Pendennis Shipyard Marine Engineer
Joe Tunnicliffe Pendennis Shipyard Installation Electrician / Maintenance Electrician
Levi Barker Pendennis Shipyard Marine Engineer
Lewis King Pendennis Shipyard Installation Electrician / Maintenance Electrician
Sam Willey Pendennis Shipyard Installation Electrician / Maintenance Electrician
Max Bailey Pendennis Shipyard Metal Fabricator
Jude Harper Sunseeker International Ltd Carpenter
Finley Gibbs Sunseeker International Ltd Carpenter
Chloe Wieland-Trunwitt Sunseeker International Ltd Carpenter
Michael Lant Sunseeker International Ltd Carpenter
Amy Gallogley Sunseeker International Ltd Carpenter
Jack Ticehurst Sunseeker International Ltd Carpenter
Wiktor Zralka Sunseeker International Ltd Carpenter
Josua Renshaw Sunseeker International Ltd Carpenter
Daniel Hamilton Sunseeker International Ltd Carpenter
Matthew Barnard Sunseeker International Ltd Electrician
Samuel Millwood Sunseeker International Ltd Electrician
Elena Watling Sunseeker International Ltd Electrician
Jakub Pawlak Sunseeker International Ltd Electrician
Louis Adair Sunseeker International Ltd Electrician
Jim Merrell Sunseeker International Ltd Engineer
Harry Winter Sunseeker International Ltd Engineer
Jack Smith RNLI Marine Electrical
Callum Ferns RNLI Marine Electrical
Ralphy Whiffen RNLI Marine Engineering
Matthew Snushall RNLI Boatbuilder
Adam Weeks Berthon Boat Company Marine Engineering
Jack Smalley Berthon Boat Company Marine Engineering
Kieran Lashford Berthon Boat Company Rigger
Christopher Tranter Berthon Boat Company Marina and Boatyard Operative
Tom Lovegrove BHG Marine Ltd Marine Engineering
Kyle Northcott Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Guy Graham Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Patrick Jones Princess Yachts Marine Engineer
Jay Collier Princess Yachts Marine Engineer
Jack Lacey Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Harry Darke Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Jordan Williams Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Callum McLellan Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Louis Spiers Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Lewis Taylor Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
James Edwards Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Brandon Minhinick Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Solomon Phillips Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Josh Franklin Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Charlie Peck Princess Yachts Marine Engineer
Lloyd Wolaniec Princess Yachts Welder
Zach Tiddy Princess Yachts Welder
Josh Martin Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Nathan Walker Princess Yachts Marine Engineer
Liam Carder Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Jodd Toppin Princess Yachts Marine Engineer
Owen Martin Princess Yachts Marine Engineer
Max Brill Princess Yachts Marine Engineer
Will Hexter Princess Yachts Marine Engineer
Marcus Hales Princess Yachts Marine Engineer
Alfie Norris Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Brandon Dawe Princess Yachts Marine Engineer
Luke Curtis Princess Yachts Carpenter/Boatbuilder
Oliver Moore Oyster Yachts Ltd Engineer
Sasha Capelli Oyster Yachts Ltd Engineer

 

Get your ticket

Tickets for the Boat Show can be purchased online at www.southamptonboatshow.com/visitor-information/tickets/

Upgrade your visit and check out our exclusive VIP packages – https://www.southamptonboatshow.com/vip/

The show is open from 10am – 6pm daily except the final Sunday when the show will close at 5pm.