Apprenticeship

Pendennis is very proud of its award winning apprenticeships which have trained over 250 young men and women in the key industry trades over the past 20 years. These schemes focus on continual development of our workforce, maintaining the world-class standards which we adhere to in all aspects of a custom build or refit.

Just under one third of the current workforce have been trained by this programme, including many who have progressed to senior positions such as project engineers, trade and project managers.

General Apprenticeship Scheme

This four year course consists of a first year at Cornwall College gaining grounding in all aspects of yacht manufacture and maintenance. The apprentices then spend the next three years at the yard in their chosen trade gaining qualifications and experience. On successful completion of their course, the apprentices often choose to take up positions within the yard and become valued members of our staff.

Surface Finishing Apprenticeship Scheme

In 2005 an innovative new apprenticeship scheme was developed to focus on training local young people in the skills of surface finishing on yachts of all shapes and sizes. This specialist three year course consists of on-the-job training combined with classroom sessions to train the apprentices to achieve the perfect surface finish on our custom build and refit projects.

  • Awards
  • Winner: Large Employer Category 2008 Learning and Skills Council Awards
  • Winner: Large Employer of the Year 2009 National Training Awards
  • Winner: SW large Employer of the Year 2012 National Apprentice Service
  • Winner: 'Queen's Silver Medal' 2011 & 2016 - Best Apprentice in UK Shipbuilding Industry Worshipful Company of Shipwrights. Runner up 2006, Runner up and Third 2013, Runner up and Fourth 2014, Winner & Third 2016
  • Winner: Gold Medal in Cabinet Making (Adam Hall), World Skills UK 2015
  • Winner: Apprenticeship Award Western Morning News Business Awards 2015
  • Winner: Apprenticeship & Training Award Insider Media MiSW Awards 2015
  • Winner: Best Company to Work For British Marine Federation Awards 2016
  • Winner: Outstanding Commitment to Training Large (150 plus employees) Excellence in Business Training Awards 2017
  • Winner: Apprenticeship Programme of the Year TES FE Awards 2017
  • Gold Award: Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Workplace Health Award
  • Winner: SW Winner Large Employer Category, National Apprenticeship Awards 2017
  • Winner: Outstanding Commitment to Apprenticeships Medium/Large Business, CCB Business Excellence Awards 2018
  • Winner: Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards 2019

Graduates are awarded blue bump caps to mark becoming full-time staff members
Local schools received help from our Apprentices during NAW 2016
Apprentices volunteered at Mylor Sailability
During NAW Apprentices worked at Mount Edgcumbe Hospice
Surface Finishing & General Apprentices working at the yard in 2016
Apprentices from Pendennis and Blue Flame Gig Rowing Regatta
Regular success at the annual Worshipful Company of Shipwrights Queen's Silver Medal
The Directors worked alongside apprentices in a job-swap day
Developing sailing skills
Adam Hall, winner of the Gold Medal in the Cabinet Making category
A charity abseil for NAW2015 raised over £30,000 for Cancer Research
Fabrication Apprentices made new gates for the local cricket club

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I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship – it’s the perfect forum for developing individuals with the potential to unlock multiple career paths and opportunities
Pete Legg - Business Improvement Manager and ex-Apprentice

Related Content

Winner of SW National Apprenticeship Award

Pendennis Shipyard has won the ‘Large Employer’ category at the recent South West regional final of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2017, and as such will progress to the National finals in January.

Apprenticeship Community Support Initiative

As part of National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), 62 apprentices from Pendennis volunteered at local schools, charities and community projects who often struggle to find the funds or manpower to maintain their facilities.