Boatbuilder Apprenticeship

This Level 3 Boatbuilder Apprenticeship is suitable if you want to start a career or develop your existing skills in the marine industry as a boat builder.  

As an advanced boatbuilding apprentice, you will be expected to work independently and take responsibility for the quality and accuracy
of your work, with support from your employer and City College as the training provider. 

You will learn to manufacture, assemble and repair components as well as understand all organisational and statutory safety requirements. You will develop the practical skills and technical knowledge required to work as a professional and competent marine boatbuilder.

Boatbuilders are responsible for building, refitting and repairing marine craft, such as yachts, workboats and superyachts.

View our apprenticeship vacancies

As an advanced Boatbuilder apprentice, you will manufacture and assemble components that form the structure of a boat as well as working on the interior and exterior fit-out of each marine craft.  You will also be required to read and interpret engineering and technical drawings to produce moulds, jigs, plugs and templates to create complex shapes using a variety of measuring equipment, machines and hand tools. 

You will use carpentry, electrical, plumbing and welding skills to become a boat builder.  The work could involve constructing frameworks, hulls and decks.  You’ll be working as a craftsperson and taking up more complex work without direct supervision.

Tasks typically include how to:

• Manufacture, assemble/disassemble and repair components to the required specification
• Work with a variety of materials, including composites, metals and wood
• Produce and use jigs and templates as required
• Check components for robustness, fit and tolerances
• Read and interpret engineering and technical drawings
• Support with commissioning of the boat
• Contingency plan and problem solve
• Maintain effective and safe working practices
• Communicate effectively and confidently

There are three main Marine Boatbuilder orientated categories to this apprenticeship – Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours. More detailed information can be found on the apprenticeship standard website (new window).  

On successful completion of this apprenticeship, you will gain a level 3 Diploma in Boatbuilding (Advanced) qualification. You will also be recognised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) at ‘Engineering Technician’ level.

As an apprentice, you can expect to undertake work-based learning with an employer and to be paid a wage.

You will attend college on a weekly basis to ensure you get the support you need to succeed. The rest of the training will take place in the workplace with in-house training provided by the employer. You will be assigned an assessor who will help guide you through the entire apprenticeship.

Our Marine Skills Centre provides a fantastic learning environment with industry-standard equipment, where you can learn everything you need for you to begin your Marine Boatbuilding career.  We have industry experts, who will be on hand to teach and guide you through and answer any questions you may have.

Candidates will typically have at least 5 GCSEs at grades 4/C or above including English, maths and ideally a science or technology. Evidence of this will need to be provided prior to starting your apprenticeship. Under exceptional circumstances, candidates who haven’t quite achieved these grades in English and/or Maths may be considered after an assessment, interview and agreement to achieve this level prior to taking their End Point Assessment (EPA).

To start an apprenticeship you will need an employer who is willing to take you on as an apprentice.  If you already have an employer please contact us. If you don't have an employer already, view our current apprenticeship vacancies.. 

You will be required to attend a College interview prior to enrolling onto an apprenticeship.

You must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom.

Successful completion of this apprenticeship could help you progress to further career opportunities in the marine sector. This could include a higher level qualification such as an HNC or degree apprenticeship in ship and boatbuilding or design and production.

Information for Employers

Off-the-job training

Each apprenticeship must include 6 hours off-the-job training a week, which amounts to around 20% of the apprentice’s contracted employment hours across the whole apprenticeship. Off-the-job training is any learning undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship.  Examples of this would be shadowing colleagues, attending supplier meetings, taking external courses Toolbox talks etc.

End Point Assessment

Each apprentice will need to undertake an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of their apprenticeship.  It measures the skills, knowledge and behaviours each apprentice has developed.  

An apprentice can only take this assessment once all other aspects of the apprenticeship have been completed.  An apprentice needs to be completely ready to take this assessment and the employer and assessor will decide when the time is right.  A declaration will be signed by both the employer, apprentice and the assessor.  If the apprentice fails the assessment, then there will be a re-sit charge, which is generally paid by the employer.

The EPA consists of:

1)  Work Based Projects - portfolio of evidence                 

2)  Viva interview - 60 mins in duration and consists of a verbal presentation (20-25mins), on the work they have produced within the work based projects. Followed by a professional discussion and competency based questions.