Pic courtesy of Oyster YachtsOyster Yachts formally launched its Oyster Apprenticeship Academy last week to coincide with
National Apprenticeship Week, building on the company's existing long-established apprenticeship schemes. The new academy will allow the luxury yacht builder to increase the number of apprentices it hires and adapt the programmes to ensure people have the right skills for the future.
Oyster Yachts has partnered with Southampton City College and Norwich City College, the two colleges closest to the luxury boat builders main manufacturing sites in Southampton and Wroxham.
The Apprenticeship Academy will provide support from initial recruitment and interviewing through to a final graduation for up to 18 apprentices annually, ten at Oyster Yachts in Wroxham and eight in Southampton.
Bazil Figura, training and development officer, Oyster Apprenticeship Academy lead, said: "We are keen to continue to encourage people to join Oyster's team of master craftspeople. We have a team of mentors that work with apprentices on their professional development, so that they are able to learn from the time-honoured craftspeople that work at Oyster.
“The training at our Oyster facilities will complement and enhance classroom learning and ensure that skills and knowledge are transferred from classroom theory to manufacturing knowledge. The Academy will also provide support in personal development with additional training to develop core skills.”
At the end of each apprenticeship, the academy offers a pragmatic plan, where the team at Oyster Yachts will continue to support and work alongside newly qualified apprentices during their first year of employment.
“Our objective with the Oyster Apprenticeship Academy is simple - as a company we are committed to ensuring that we develop and grow the skills that are inherent in British boatbuilding and in this way, we can ensure that these talents continue for generations to come.”
Richard Hadida, Oyster Yachts CEO and owner, said: “I am passionate about the time-honoured boatbuilding crafts and recognise Oyster's reliance on them, so sustaining these artisan skills is a priority. Through the academy, we can encourage young talent into the business and help shape their skills so that sailors will always be able to experience the world's finest bluewater sailing yachts.”
The Oyster Academy currently offers two Marine Apprenticeships: Boat Building and Engineering. The Boat Building Apprenticeship covers all internal and external aspects of boat building, with four days on-site learning with Oyster and one day a week at college.
Traditional craftsmanship modules include joinery, laminating and polishing - skills that form the cornerstone of Oyster Yachts quality build.
The engineering apprenticeship also includes four days on-site with one day a week at college. This comprehensive apprenticeship gives hands-on experience in all aspects of engineering from basic understanding of engineering drawings to the installation of complete fuel systems and the final commissioning process.
In addition to the apprenticeships offered through the Oyster Academy, the British boatbuilder offers opportunities across the whole of the business. People interested in apprenticeship opportunities should contact .