Apprenticeships
Pendennis is very proud of its award-winning apprenticeship scheme, which has trained over 375 young men and women in boat industry jobs over the past 27 years. Through these apprenticeships, we’re able to continually develop our workforce, maintaining the world-class standards that we uphold across every custom build or refit.
Just under one third of our current workforce has been trained by the Pendennis apprenticeship programme, including many who have progressed to senior positions such as project engineers, trade, and project managers. From carpentry, woodworking and joinery apprenticeships to marine electrical and plumbing apprenticeships, there’s a world of boat building and yacht building careers to choose from.
We’ll help you to develop your maritime career and yourself. Join us on an apprenticeship in Cornwall and you’ll be taking the first step on a programme that – alongside gaining experience and qualifications – will help you to develop a range of other transferable skills to support your working life.
Your continuous professional development is important to you and to us, and we will help to guide and support your learning as we follow your progression throughout your apprenticeship.
APPRENTICE RECRUITMENT 2025
Register to attend our Apprentice Open Evening below to begin your apprentice application process.
We are delighted to be recruiting for a new cohort of apprentices for a July 2025 start. Our apprenticeships will lead to a specialism in either engineering, electrical, joinery, fabrication/welding or yacht painting and follow a four-year course.
Our Apprentice Open Evening will be taking place on Tuesday 4th March at 6pm. Anyone wishing to apply for one of our apprenticeship schemes is advised to attend the Open Evening, where application packs will be available on the night. During the event you will tour the yard, meet our staff and current apprentices and learn more about our courses.
The event will take place at our shipyard in Falmouth Docks, TR11 4NR.
Click below to register to attend our Open Evening and begin your application process. You can also can read our General Apprenticeship Flyer to learn more about the different types of apprentice schemes that we offer.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please email apprenticeships@pendennis.com.
An apprentice is mentored by a graduate apprentice in the electrical workshop. Photography by Stuart Pearce/Yachtshot
First year apprentices spend three days per week at college and two days completing group training in the shipyard. Photography by Stuart Pearce/Yachtshot
Apprentices paint the propellers of a large motor yacht. Photography by Andrew Wright
During National Apprenticeship Week, teams of Pendennis apprentices volunteer their time and skills to benefit community projects, like refurbishing the railings at Falmouth Parish Church. Photography by Andrew Wright
Operations Director Charlie Ross receives expert tuition from a Pendennis apprentice during a 'Back to the Floor' session for National Apprenticeship Week. Photography by Andrew Wright
Apprentices paint the propellers of a large motor yacht. Photography by Andrew Wright
Raising a glass at the celebratory dinner for graduating apprentices in 2021. Photography by Andrew Wright
During their first two years, apprentices receive a grounding of training in all trades before choosing their specialism. Photography by Stuart Pearce/Yachtshot
Jill Carr, founder of the Pendennis apprenticeship scheme, with a group of apprentices under the refit of Altair in 2008
What our apprentices say
FAQs
We currently have three different apprenticeship schemes running:
General Apprenticeship - A bespoke General Engineering Programme, with apprentices specialising in one of our in-house trades.
Yacht Painting Apprenticeship - A four-year programme covering all aspects of yacht finishing, exterior coating, and the latest application technology.
Trade Specific Apprenticeship - A two to four year programme for apprentices with previous experience of apprenticeships or good transferable skills in one of our departments.
Our apprenticeships take place at our Falmouth site and will lead to you to achieving nationally recognised qualifications as well as a bright new career here in Cornwall. Your training will normally be delivered in partnership with local training providers and will meet the new National Occupational Apprentice Standards through vocational and classroom-based learning over a four-year programme.
Your apprenticeship with Pendennis is an introduction to the world of work and gives you the chance to benefit from an award-winning and world-class programme. As an apprentice you will get competitive rates of pay as you are employed from day one, progressing throughout until you graduate as a qualified Tradesperson. On top of your salary an apprentice will also benefit from:
- A Pendennis pension plan
- Accredited qualifications
- Extra-curricular activities include sailing, Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award & opportunities to attend youth leadership awards and activities.
- Annual awards
- Community activities
Pendennis is about high quality in all that we do and getting an apprenticeship with us may seem daunting, but we would like you to prove that you want the opportunity!
If you are interested in an exciting new career with us there are things that you can do and tell us about to support your application; it’s not just about your grades, for example – work experience with an employer, perhaps you might have spent some time here at Pendennis?
Experiences of working in a team, that could include sports teams, Duke of Edinburgh or maybe a project you have worked on, what interests do you have and why? Are you self-motivated and want to learn? If so, we want to hear from you!
We are delighted to be recruiting for a new cohort of apprentices for a July 2025 start. Our Apprentice Open Evening will be taking place on Tuesday 4th March at 6pm, where you will tour the yard, meet our staff and current apprentices and learn more about our courses. Application forms for the apprenticeship schemes will be available on the night. You can register to attend here: click here to register to attend our apprentice open evening.
