Apprentice Boat Builder
Plymouth Pilots
PLYMOUTH (PL9 8AA)
Closes in 14 days (Tuesday 2 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 19 August 2025
Contents
Summary
We’re looking for a motivated apprentice to join our skilled boatbuilding team, with the chance to become a permanent member of staff after training. You’ll learn to build boats, make parts, carry out repairs and refits and use tools safely while working to the highest standards. Attention to detail is essential.
- Wage
-
£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Pay is reviewed periodically and will be dependent on the development of apprentice skills and performance.
- Training course
- Boatbuilder (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday (8am-5pm)
40 hours a week
- Start date
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Thursday 18 September 2025
- Duration
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4 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Plymouth Pilots has been building boats since 1969, starting with our first model – the Plymouth Pilot 16. Our vessels are enjoyed by recreational boaters, fishermen and commercial operators, including passenger ferries. While manufacturing our own range remains our core focus, we also take on a variety of GRP fibreglass projects for other sectors, making the work both varied and rewarding.
As an apprentice, you’ll work closely with our small, skilled team to learn every stage of the process. We’ll provide full training, but you’ll need to bring a willingness to learn, a steady hand and pride in your work. Safety, professionalism and teamwork are essential in our workshop. Any previous experience with hand tools will be an advantage and can help you progress more quickly.
Typical daily tasks will include:
- Assisting in the construction of new boats and components. · Supporting repair and refit work on existing vessels.
- Measuring, cutting and preparing materials for layup.
- Learning to operate and maintain a variety of workshop tools safely.
- Helping to keep the workshop organised and equipment in good order.
With our 55-year heritage comes a commitment to high standards and we’ll help you develop the skills to meet them. This is a hands-on, practical role where no two days are quite the same – and by the end of your training, you’ll be able to say you helped create boats that are used and admired all over the world.
Where you'll work
UNIT 2
WIXENFORD FARM
COLESDOWN HILL
PLYMOUTH
PL9 8AA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
Training course
Boatbuilder (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Communicate verbally and non-verbally with others for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Apply customer service principles and techniques.
- Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work.
- Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace. Apply control measures.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Apply environmental and sustainability procedures for example, segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Follow standard operational procedures when carrying out work processes.
- Interpret information - paper based or electronic. For example, drawings and designs, formulae, risk assessments, manufacturers' documentation, and repair specifications.
- Produce, prepare, label, use, maintain and store plugs and moulds.
- Produce, prepare, label, use, maintain and store jigs and templates.
- Apply manufacturing techniques to boats such as yachts, workboats or superyachts.
- Apply repair techniques to existing boats such as yachts, workboats or superyachts.
- Apply surface finishes such as varnishes, paints, and gel coats.
- Select, use, and store materials and consumables.
- Apply surface finishing methods and techniques such as polishing.
- Select, use, and store equipment, hand tools and machinery.
- Apply continuous improvement and problem solving techniques.
- Conduct tests and checks when performing boatbuilding work operations.
- Apply techniques and principles of maintaining the workplace environment to restore the work area.
- Record and document information - paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, process records, test results, handover documents and original equipment manufacturers' (OEM) documentation.
- Apply routine maintenance and servicing techniques to equipment and tools.
- Apply techniques and principles of protecting surfaces, components and structures during all stages of work operations.
- Follow equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
- Apply team working principles.
- Plan own work.
- Communicate verbally and non-verbally with others for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Apply customer service principles and techniques.
- Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work.
- Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace. Apply control measures.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Apply environmental and sustainability procedures for example, segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Follow standard operational procedures when carrying out work processes.
- Interpret information - paper based or electronic. For example, drawings and designs, formulae, risk assessments, manufacturers' documentation, and repair specifications.
- Produce, prepare, label, use, maintain and store plugs and moulds.
- Produce, prepare, label, use, maintain and store jigs and templates.
- Apply manufacturing techniques to boats such as yachts, workboats or superyachts.
- Apply repair techniques to existing boats such as yachts, workboats or superyachts.
- Apply surface finishes such as varnishes, paints, and gel coats.
- Select, use, and store materials and consumables.
- Apply surface finishing methods and techniques such as polishing.
- Select, use, and store equipment, hand tools and machinery.
- Apply continuous improvement and problem solving techniques.
- Conduct tests and checks when performing boatbuilding work operations.
- Apply techniques and principles of maintaining the workplace environment to restore the work area.
- Record and document information - paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, process records, test results, handover documents and original equipment manufacturers' (OEM) documentation.
- Apply routine maintenance and servicing techniques to equipment and tools.
- Apply techniques and principles of protecting surfaces, components and structures during all stages of work operations.
- Follow equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
- Apply team working principles.
- Plan own work.
Training schedule
Working towards a Level 3 Boatbuilder apprenticeship standard. You’ll receive full on-the-job training from our experienced team, learning traditional craftsmanship alongside modern manufacturing techniques, including:
- GRP (fibreglass) laminating techniques - preparation, layup and finishing.
- Polishing and varnishing.
- Some areas of woodwork.
- Use and maintenance of hand tools, power tools and workshop equipment.
- Boat fit-out skills, including fitting hardware, seating and safety equipment.
- Repair and refit methods for older vessels.
- Reading and interpreting drawings, following templates and job specifications.
- Workplace safety, manual handling and safe working practices.
- Working effectively as part of a small, collaborative team.
You’ll also gain a thorough understanding of the complete boatbuilding process – from raw materials to finished vessel – and develop the attention to detail needed to meet the high standards our boats are known for.
More training information
You will spend one day per week at South Devon College.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C)
- Maths (grade 4/C)
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
Other in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Practical skills
Other requirements
From time to time, work outside the workshop may be required, which could include assisting on flat roofs or other external locations. Any such work will only be undertaken following the appropriate training, risk assessments and confirmation that the apprentice is competent and comfortable to do so. As this is a real boatbuilding environment, you’ll also need to be prepared that the role involves - standing for long periods, manual handling of materials and parts, working with resins, fibreglass and solvents (with PPE) and occasional noisy, dusty or cold/hot workshop conditions depending on the season.
About this employer
Plymouth Pilots is a specialist boatbuilder and fibreglass parts manufacturer with a proud 55-year heritage. Our handcrafted range – the 16’, 18’ and 24’ Plymouth Pilots – is renowned for quality, reliability and timeless style, with many of our boats still in service decades after they were built. Alongside building new boats, we carry out sympathetic refits that give older Plymouth Pilots a new lease of life. Our work isn’t limited to leisure craft – we also produce commercial mouldings for a variety of industries, applying the same precision and care to every project. We are a small, close-knit team who take pride in our craftsmanship and in the finish of every boat that leaves our workshop. As an apprentice, you’ll work alongside highly skilled craftspeople, learning hands-on skills and contributing to projects where attention to detail really matters. Our boats can be found in harbours and waterways all over the world – from our home here in Devon to as far afield as Australia.
After this apprenticeship
For the right candidate, there is the opportunity to become a full member of our team on successful completion of the apprenticeship. You’ll have developed valuable, transferable skills that can lead to a long-term career in boatbuilding and marine manufacturing with Plymouth Pilots.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
Neil Humphrey or Lauren Humphrey
01752 482588
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000337509.
Apply now
Closes in 14 days (Tuesday 2 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
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