Pendennis Shipyard
Pendennis
Falmouth, Cornwall
Large Employer of the Year category
Apprenticeship Awards 2008
Founded in 1988, Pendennis has developed a worldwide reputation for building as well as refitting luxury motor and sailing yachts to the highest of standards. The company takes pride in its local roots, and this extends to its training and recruitment programmes, sourcing expertise from the Cornish community wherever possible.
Pendennis first employed apprentices a decade ago as part of this drive, aiming to train young people as engineers, electricians, joiners and fabricator/welders. New recruits to its Apprenticeship programme start as general apprentices studying many skills in their first year and then specialising in the second year. This is because they will ultimately work in project teams on the yachts. This requires a holistic understanding of all the trades involved in order to thoroughly understand the projects and produce the best work. This knowledge will also help apprentices develop into the managers and supervisors of the future, roles in which this all-round knowledge becomes invaluable.
Pendennis was so pleased by the results of its initial Apprenticeships that it went on to extend the programme in 2005 by creating a second Apprenticeship in Yacht Surface Finishing. The finish on the Superyachts is the first thing that people see and therefore quality is of the utmost importance. This is the first Apprenticeship of its kind in the UK and is helping the company create a world class paint team which also reduces its dependence on sub-contractors. This means Pendennis is on its way to being the first yacht builder able to guarantee the paint job on its yachts. This particular Apprenticeship was formulated in partnership with Cornwall College (who helped structure its initial Apprenticeship programme) and Marine South West (Part of the South West RDA).
Jill Carr, training manger at Pendennis says: “One of the main benefits of our apprenticeship schemes is that the apprentices inject skills, youth, longevity, and flexibility into our niche business. Apprenticeships help us mould employees, through training and on the job experience, thus providing us with the right level of skills and discipline.”
Jill continues: “We always keen to help the apprentices develop as a whole person. All apprentices are encouraged to take part in activities that will provide them with transferable skills, outside their everyday activities with the firm. These include participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, pursuing Royal Yachting Association qualifications, and participating in charity work in the local community. They also have the chance to sail and maintain the company’s Tosher – an 18-foot traditional local boat.”
Vaughan Curnow, liaison officer at Cornwall College says: “Pendennis’ dedication to Apprenticeships is demonstrated by the bespoke courses that it puts together for its learners. These encompass all vocational routes including engineering, electrical, fabrication, joinery and fabrication/welding. Such a variety enables the learners to identify their chosen career path and ensure they take great pride in their work.”
Pendennis is a finalist in the Large Employer of the Year category in the national Apprenticeship Awards 2008.
Last Updated: 10/03/2010