Four of Pendennis’ company Directors changed roles with their Apprentices to learn about the real value as well as impact of Apprenticeships, ahead of National Apprenticeship Week (#NAW), running from 11th to 15th March. Pendennis Shipyard is well known for excelling in training Apprentices to work in the superyacht sector, creating custom built yachts and working on refits of existing 30m+ superyachts.
Pendennis' Apprentice Swap Day 2013
Four Directors, Mike Carr, Joint MD, Toby Allies, Director of Sales and Marketing; Stephen Hills, Projects Director; and Charlie Ross, Operations Director; experienced the daily work life for an apprentice undertaking job swaps within the fabrication, surface finishing, and electrical teams.
In return, the apprentices, who included Tom Blewett, a second year Fabricator, Nick Hawling, second year Surface Finisher, Sam Coltman a third year engineer, and Matt Angove who is a fourth year Electrician, were given an insight into the workload of the senior management team at Pendennis.
Mike Carr shadowed Sam Coltman for the day, undertaking an engine alignment on the 77m sailing yacht m5. Mike expanded on his experience: “It’s been fantastic working with Sam today, seeing how much he has learned over the past three years. I was particularly impressed with the specialist equipment Sam has developed to assist in complex realignments of the yacht’s 2.8 tonne engines. As many of our current and more senior employees started off as apprentices, we are all well aware of the value of Apprenticeships within our company. Nurturing this scheme has helped our businesses to grow our own talent by continually developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. It is tremendously rewarding to see these young apprentices advance their skills and see their valuable contribution to the future of the company.”
Apprentice Matthew Angove, age 19, said: “This has been a great opportunity to share our daily experiences at Pendennis with the Directors, and show them the skills we have learnt on this Apprenticeship scheme so far. It has also been very interesting being part of the decision-making side of the business today, and seeing the operation from a Director’s perspective.”
Local MP Sarah Newton visited Pendennis for the day to see the job swap in progress. Sarah was also given the opportunity to get directly involved, working with Luke Hocking, a third year Joiner undertaking veneering in the joinery workshop. Sarah commented: “I really enjoyed working with Luke today, and actually found the task set quite therapeutic! It was great to get hands-on and be part of the real craftsmanship of the Pendennis joinery team. Schemes such as this are a real credit to companies such as Pendennis, and to the UK’s drive for on-the-job training. Apprenticeships give young people an invaluable opportunity to develop a set of unique skills and to be involved in a fascinating and dynamic industry.”
This job swap, held at Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth, was organised ahead of the annual National Apprenticeship Week (#NAW2013), which this year takes place from 11-15 March 2013. Hundreds of further events and activities are taking place across England in support of the Week, which is designed to celebrate how Apprenticeships deliver for employers, young people, adults and the economy.
David Way, CEO of The National Apprenticeship Service, which is coordinating the Week, said: “It’s through activities and films such as the Pendennis job swap that we can really demonstrate how Apprenticeships are a great way for young people and adult learners to earn while they learn in a real job, gaining a real qualification and a real future.”
