Boatbuilder Apprentice
ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION
Poole (BH15 1HZ)
Closes in 26 days (Monday 9 March 2026)
Posted on 9 February 2026
Contents
Summary
This is an exceptional opportunity for four highly motivated individuals to undertake a four-year apprenticeship at the All-weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) in Poole, commencing in September 2026. Our apprentices work alongside experienced Technicians on all classes of Lifeboat and associated plant.
- Wage
-
£14,622 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
£14,622 with yearly increments throughout (our salaries are currently under review and will be updated accordingly)
- Training course
- Boatbuilder (level 3)
- Hours
-
Full Time - details at interview.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
3
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
We are currently seeking four apprentices across two different trades (marine electrical and boat building), but you are only required to complete one application form indicating which trade(s) you would like to be considered for in order of preference. During the four-year programme, you will work towards completing the new style standards-based apprenticeship.
You will attend Bournemouth & Poole College for your off-the-job training. During your apprenticeship you will gain job specific skills, understanding engineering drawings, lofting to build plug and moulds, understanding of composite materials, assembling, installation, repairing, modifying, maintaining.
Where you'll work
RNLI
West Quay Road
Poole
BH15 1HZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE, THE
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
Level 3 Boat Building Apprenticeship Standard with block release.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent 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
- Positive attitude
- Team working
Other requirements
If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to attend an initial interview with Bournemouth and Poole College. If successful, you will be invited to a second interview at the RNLI. RNLI interview will be w/c 20th April.
About this employer
Our lifeboat crews and lifeguards need a dedicated, professional, and talented team behind them to give them lifesaving equipment that will stand up to the most ferocious weather around the UK and Ireland. In 2015 we completed the build of the All-weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) in Poole so that we can manufacture and maintain lifeboats to the highest of standards. We have now brought our entire All-weather lifeboat refit activity in house after the success of transferring Shannon Class lifeboat production into the ALC. We now have predictable work for years to come.
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Progression wihtin the company for the right successful candidate.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE, THE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014116.
Apply now
Closes in 26 days (Monday 9 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.