KEY POINTS:
Qualification: National Certificate in Boatbuilding (Composite) Level 4.
Where: Boating Industry Training Organisation (BITO).
Contact: Ph 0800 600 242 or (09) 360 0056.
Email: training@bia.org.nz.
Web: www.nzmarine.com or www.composites.org.nz.
Entry Requirements: Practical maths - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division. Able to communicate, understand verbal instructions and read workbooks.
Course costs: BITO recommends apprentices pay $10 per week towards training, and employers continue paying apprentices while on block courses etc.
Prospects: Average hourly rate: $12-$14. Some companies tie pay rises into passing unit standards; others give annual rises. Third and fourth-year apprentices average up to $18 per hour; newly qualified about $20. Some make a lot more, depending on their experience and ability.
The opportunity for boat-building apprenticeships is highest in Auckland, where 56 per cent of New Zealand's boat-building business is based; other major bases are Whangarei, Bay of Plenty and Christchurch.
The apprenticeship is very practical, with most apprentices doing approximately 9000 hours in the workplace. Apprentices attend weekly night classes and annual block courses. They must keep a log book with evidence of competency, including information about completed jobs, sketches and photographs.
Apprentices learn about lofting techniques (full-size drawing of boats), pattern-making, construction of frames, completion of the hull and superstructure, and interior and exterior components.
BITO field officer Glen Doodes looks after 120 apprentices in the Auckland region, visiting them every eight weeks. He also tutors apprentices who need help with their theory.
TRAINEE
Brent Denholm, 39
McDell Marine adult apprentice
I have been around boats all my life. My family spent lots of time fishing and boating at the Te Atatu South Club, so I had a basic knowledge of boats but knew nothing about making them.
About 2 1/2 years ago, I heard they were looking for people here, so I applied and then asked for an apprenticeship. I was a sign maker for around 15 years, then spent four years installing Sky digital before returning to sign making because I wanted more regular hours. Then I came here.
I was never great at school so I didn't even think about an apprenticeship when I left school. But this learning is connected to what I'm doing each day at work and that makes a difference. The way the BITO break down the information into units also suits my way of learning.
Learning the terminology is the hardest part of the theory. Lots of it is interesting, like recently I've been learning about the different timber finishes, such as oak, maple and cherry. I'm now working with the team that fits the units into the boat.
I started in the galleys, then did saloons. It is quite fiddly work but I really like it because I pay attention to detail and I'm a bit pedantic.
Overall it is the ongoing learning and challenges I like best.
When a boat is finished, it is very rewarding and satisfying to walk through a craft that is worth over a million dollars and know you were part of it all.
EMPLOYER
Bill Howlett
McDell Marine general manager
We build about eight big yachts in composite and wood each year, each taking about 15,000 hours to build.
We employ 60 people across five or six teams. We try and keep apprentices to 10 to 15 per cent of our workforce, thus employing five or six apprentices at any one time. We have quite a few older guys too, so we have a good mix.
Brent worked here a while before asking about an apprenticeship and we were happy to take him on because we liked his attitude.
Usually we invite applications each year from school students interested in boat-building apprenticeships.
We interview about 10, give five a week's work experience and then choose a couple. We prefer this system because it means we're selecting on merit.
We also take on guys who've done Unitec's full-time course. Some have worked out well and have the advantage of having some units done already.
We want people who have done maths and woodwork and preferably have some projects to show for it. If they haven't had experience in working with wood, they often lose enthusiasm quickly, finding the dust and odd splinter in the hand isn't for them.
We start our new apprentices with one of our experienced cabinet makers because cabinet-making skills stand them in good stead with their other learning.
For example, when installing furniture, it is easy to cause damage if you don't know what you're doing.
Boat building has changed a lot over the years - no tape measure is required now. We start with a concept drawing that is developed into a 3D model, then emailed to Brisbane where a computer produces it in a foam block that is then shipped here. It takes us two weeks to make a mould from the foam and three months to fully produce.
