International Designers Rob Humphries and his son, Tom, followed by Ian Benning of Volvo Penta UK, are the inaugural speakers in a series of lectures designed to inspire young people working in the UK industry and to explore the UK’s unique international position in yacht design and boat building.
A former apprentice who now helps to run a £60m company based here in the UK, and an internationally renowned yacht designer and his son, are the headline speakers at the first Shipwrights lecture, taking place on October 19th, at the Turner Sims Hall, University of Southampton.
Yacht designer Rob Humphreys and his son, Tom, will be discussing the exciting developments in the yacht design sector, in the first of a series of marine-industry specific lectures designed to illustrate the exciting and diverse career opportunities available for today’s apprentices, young shipwrights and boat builders.
They will be followed by Ian Benning, Sales Director of Marine Engines at Volvo Penta UK. Ian started his working life aged 16 as an apprentice, and will be drawing on his experiences and the exciting future for today’s young apprentices, based on the Shipwright Lecture’s theme of ‘past, present and future’.
The Shipwrights Lectures, which are being organised by The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, in conjunction with the University of Southampton, will give attendees an exciting insight into the opportunities, technologies, and future developments in this broad-ranging industry. Support from the marine industry has been enthusiastic, with companies including Pendennis, Princess, Rustler Yachts, SYS and Halyard all registering for their apprentices to attend. Support also comes from trade bodies such as the British Marine Federation.
An introduction and welcome will be made by Sir Jock Slater, Deputy Prime Warden of the Shipwrights, and will close with a speech by Sir T John Parker, former Chancellor of the University and a shipbuilder himself. The whole format of the lectures is designed to ensure apprentices will benefit from hearing about the exciting development and opportunities within the marine sector, and also have the opportunity to network with other apprentices and industry experts at the lectures.
The concept of high-level lectures for young people under the age of 25 who are either already employed as apprentices in the marine leisure sector, or who are studying in this arena, came from the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, which was formed in 1387 as a Trade Guild for shipwrights working on the London River . A number of its current members work and employ young people in the marine leisure sector. The second lecture in the series is planned for early 2012.
The theme of the lectures is ‘Past, Present and Future’ and it is planned that there will be two dates set per annum, each comprising two presentations covering both sail & power. Attendance is free for apprentices nominated by their employers, and young people under the age of 25. Each apprentice will receive a certificate of attendance for each lecture subject, allowing him or her to build a collection of certificates demonstrating wide knowledge of different marine industry sectors and an appreciation of subjects alongside their particular apprentice training.
Ian Benning, Sales Director of Marine Engines at Volvo Penta UK says he is looking forward to the opportunity to inspire the audience about the exciting future they face, and the opportunities open to them from the marine industry. He says, “The marine industry is a great place to work, with countless international and technological opportunities. I will be explaining how my career has developed from an early start as a 16 year old apprentice to achieving my current position, and I will draw upon the views of CEOs of top marine companies about the skills and expertise they are looking for in today’s apprentices. I will also be talking about the innovations coming out from Volvo Penta and our vision for the future.”
The first Shipwrights Lecture took place at the Turner Sims Hall, University of Southampton
