Apprenticeships at Cockwells Modern and Classic Boatbuilding

We run our own apprenticeship programme, and will advertise vacancies on this site when appropriate. Cockwells is a commercial boatbuilding company rather than a training provider and therefore availability depends upon workload and the progression rates of our existing apprentices. Our programme consists of a full-time position, where the trainee receives 'on the job' training from experienced boatbuilders. The trainee has a formal skills review every 6 months to assess and record skills development and performance.

A formal NVQ certified apprenticeship programme has been developed with input from Dave Cockwell. The programme is available via www.eal.org.uk in conjunction with Cornwall College. This programme involves the apprentice going to college one day a week as well as working four full days per week at the yard. We are happy to support apprentices wishing to embark on this programme. The apprentice will be assessed regularly by an NVQ assessor and must be committed to full attendance and take responsibility for developing their portfolio of work evidence.

Joe Coles:
Our youngest apprentice left school in July 2007 having just completed GCSEs at Penryn College and immediately began his apprenticeship at Cockwells.

Past apprentices:

	William Anderson-Lambert: Billy completed his 4 year apprenticeship at Cockwells in February 2007. His skills, knowledge and experience have developed considerably since then and he has become a highly skilled boatbuilder. Not long after his apprenticeship ended, he took on greater responsibility by becoming the Project Leader for the build of the Motor Yacht LT2 (completed in the summer of 2008) and is now thriving in the same role for the Pilot Cutter Merlin.
	Craig Chad: Craig was a graduate of the Lyme Regis Boatbuilding academy. He began his boatbuilding apprenticeship when he joined Cockwells in November 2005, and completed it in 2008. Apart from learning all of the skills associated with timber boatbuilding, Craig has also been very involved in the engineering and electrical systems installations of new-builds and refits, and now spends a large proportion of his time specialising in that work. Craig is a keen sailor – he has his own small cruising boat and also regularly crews on a local Corby 25 racing boat.
	David Brunyee: Graduate of the IBTC College in Lowestoft. David has the benefit of experience in restoring his own 40ft Westerman, he has made excellent progress in developing his skills.

For training providers offering course in boatbuilding, you can contact the following organisations:

International Boat Building Training College
http://www.ibtc.co.uk/, Lowestoft, Suffolk; 01502 569663.

Boat Building Academy
http://www.boatbuildingacademy.com/, Lyme Regis, Dorset; 01297 445545.

Falmouth Marine School
www.college-falmouth.ac.uk/, Cornwall; 01326 310310.

Cornwall College
www.cornwall.ac.uk, Cornwall; 0845 2232567.

Pembrokeshire College
http://www.pembrokeshire.ac.uk/, Haverfordwest; 0800 716236.

Southampton Solent University
http://www.solent.ac.uk/, East Park Terrace, Southampton; 023 8031 9000.