Marine – Boatbuilding Apprenticeship Level 3

Boatbuilders construct vessels such as yachts and workboats. They also perform repairs and refits on existing craft. Boats may be made of composites, metals or wood, which makes understanding the properties and capabilities of various materials extremely important.

Professionals in this industry have to be proficient in reading and interpreting technical drawings to produce the moulds, jigs, plugs and templates used to create complex shapes. This is done using a variety of measuring equipment, machines and hand tools. Boatbuilders then assemble the components to form the main structure of a boat and the interior and exterior features.

Importantly, competent boatbuilders can work both individually and as part of a team. They also understand and comply with all organisational and statutory safety regulations, including sustainability requirements.

Why choose
Marine – Boatbuilding Apprenticeship Level 3?

At Brock the boatbuilding team has 140+ years of combined experience in the maritime industry, with some continuing to work in the sector.

Each team member is a qualified teacher, assessor and internal quality assurer. Furthermore, they all hold various industry-related qualifications that are City & Guilds compliant.

Our workshops are fully stocked with industry-standard boatbuilding manufacturing tools and equipment. Our composites section even has advanced vacuum infusion facilities.

This course is backed by the South Coast Institute of Technology.

Teaching & learning

As an apprentice, your employer and Brockenhurst College will deliver a training programme that meets the criteria detailed in the boatbuilder standard. Together they will provide an environment that enables you to acquire the skills, knowledge, behaviours and understanding to reach and complete your End Point Assessment.

Employers must provide a boatbuilder apprenticeship programme that offers both on-the-job and off-the-job training and development opportunities. These will enable you to progress from simple boatbuilding tasks to more complex ones.

You will undertake the mandatory L2/L3 Boatbuilding Diploma at college one-day-a-week over four years. The structure of the diplomas is roughly split 60/40 between theory and practice.

Information & support

This apprenticeship is suitable for you if you have been offered employment or are already working in the boatbuilding sector.

To see a full list of our apprenticeship vacancies, please click here

You can find more information on applying for an apprenticeship by clicking here

Minimum entry requirements

Five GCSEs at grade 4 and above to include:

• Maths grade

• English grade

Functional Skills Maths and English will be included in your programme if you have not achieved at least GCSE grade 4.

Course structure

You will study the following units:

• Introduction to the marine industry (201) at Level 2 and Safe and effective working in the marine industry (301) at Level 3
• Principles of boatbuilding technology (202) at Level 2 and Principles of boat construction (302) at Level 3
• Business improvement techniques (203)
• Production of external boat components (205) at Level 2 and Construction and repair of hulls and boat structures (304) at Level 3
• FRP manufacture for marine construction (207) at Level 2 and Fibre reinforced plastics technology for marine construction (307) at Level 3

What can I do with this qualification?

Once you have completed this programme successfully, you can apply for EngTech status with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).

Alternatively, you could progress onto a degree-level apprenticeship or go straight into work. You could even decide to set up your own boatbuilding company, initially by working for other firms as a contactor.