Sunseeker investment in people recognised at the METSTRADE Boat Builder Awards 2022

Sunseeker investment in people recognised at the METSTRADE Boat Builder Awards 2022 © Sunseeker International

Sunseeker is proud to have won the METSTRADE Boat Builder Award for 'Best Apprenticeship and Training Scheme'. The awards seek to celebrate outstanding achievements across key areas of the global marine industry.

The Sunseeker early careers programme received the accolade for its exceptional offering to individuals wishing to enter the maritime manufacturing sector and the multiple progression and advancement opportunities it provides.

Sian Dodds, HR Director at Sunseeker International, commented: "We are incredibly proud to have won 'Best Apprenticeship and Training Scheme' at METSTRADE this year. With over 170 apprentices and graduates currently in training with us, our long-standing commitment to investment in people provides the opportunity to develop a well-rounded and successful career in the maritime sector. Our training programmes have proven to produce some of the best talent in the industry. They are our future leaders and technical experts, paving the way for a prosperous and sustainable marine industry. We are delighted to have received recognition from an international panel of judges, and whilst we continue to receive awards for our tremendous training schemes, significant challenges remain in the industry. We are proud to continue our investment in new training schemes."

Vocational Technical Apprenticeships

Using the United Kingdom's Apprenticeship Standards, Sunseeker recruits apprentices onto a four-year training programme which delivers c.1,250 training hours at a specialist Marina Training Centre at Bournemouth and Poole College. Each apprentice is paired with a highly qualified mentor in their chosen trade, completing c. 6,000 hours of practical training.

There is a choice of four technical pathways: Composites, Carpentry and Joinery, Marine Mechanical Engineering, and Marine Electrical Engineering. Apprentices move through the various production stages of boat building over four years, culminating in a new independent end-point assessment with the membership organisation for the leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry, British Marine.

Graduate Training Programme

The graduate scheme has been a revelation for Sunseeker. Working with functional leaders across the company to develop job roles for academically educated talent has produced a new stream of innovative free thinking. Students are offered a two or three-year programme in a hands-on position whilst providing access to training, development and membership with relevant professional bodies aligned to UK SPEC and other registered membership organisations in Production, Accountancy, IT and Marketing. Graduates typically earn real-world experience delivering projects that affect the bottom line.

Both of these people investments have set the benchmark for most large organisations. Sunseeker offers unmatched career progression opportunities to the incumbents of the early careers scheme. Whether progressing to a team on the water or taking responsibility for the leadership of people, Sunseeker truly believes that nurturing a growing workforce is the best place to source talented leaders and industry superstars of the future.

For more information, visit www.sunseeker.com/careers.