Superyacht UK member wins National Apprenticeship Award
Superyacht firm and college triumph at national awards
- Pendennis shipyard praised for its apprenticeship programme
- Delivered in partnership with The Cornwall College Group
- Gala awards ceremony held at Grosvenor Hotel in London
(CAMBORNE, CORNWALL: 27/02/17): A Cornish-based superyacht company and a regional college have triumphed at a nationalawards ceremony for their apprenticeship delivery.
Beating off stiff competition from across the UK, Pendennis Shipyard and The Cornwall College Group (TCCG), landed the Apprenticeship Programme of the Year award at the TES FE Awards 2017.
Hosted by comedian Rob Beckett, 700 guests flocked to the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Friday to celebrate the successes of the ‘best of the best’ in the further education sector.
HR director of Pendennis Jill Carr, said the company “is really proud of the scheme that we have created with our partners Cornwall College”.
“Not only are we future proofing our business, we are providing opportunities for young people to reach their full potential, not only in Cornwall, but worldwide.”
Director of Technology at TCCG Justin Olosunde said it was fantastic for Pendennis and the College to be recognised “for all the hard work and innovation that we put into our apprenticeship programmes”.
“It is vital that we are giving people the opportunity and the necessary skills to become successful in their chosen careers,” he continued.
“Winning this award demonstrates that by going above and beyond in what you offer, by providing expert tuition and guidance, people will flourish and achieve things they may have never thought possible.”
The Pendennis apprenticeship programme has been running since 1998 and has trained more than 200 young people.
TCCG and its business facing division CCB (Cornwall College Business), have been working closely with the shipyard from the outset, delivering their bespoke training programme.
The unique training programme prepares apprentices with skills to meet their customers’ needs and each trainee leaves the first year with an engineering, fabrication and joinery Level 2 qualification.
They also commence in the first year of the Level 3 electrical programme.
“The programme has been designed to meet the needs of their customers, by guaranteeing each member of their workforce understands the other trades and are capable of lending a hand if necessary,” said Carl Moyle, engineering lead at TCCG.
Pendennis also provides a post apprenticeship training scheme, giving apprentices the opportunity to gain an HNC, an FdSc or take their training to degree level.
“They also have the chance to work with other companies, anywhere in a word, to specialise in a particular field of their choice,” Carl continued.
“The post-apprenticeship programme has had a positive impact on the business by allowing their customers to tap in to a network of reliable, highly skilled tradespeople who are ready to embark on any task required, anywhere in the world, with the same exceptional Pendennis customer service.”
Matthew Angove started working as an apprentice at Pendennis shipyard when he was 15 years old, having graduated from school in 2008 with A*s and As in his GCSEs.
“You only have to look at my position now in comparison to when I joined the company nearly eight years ago to see the progression and development,” he explained.
“I joined a shy quiet teenager, worked my way through the company to become an electrical project engineer working on superyachts and traveling with work, whilst gaining industry standard and Level 4 and 5 qualifications. I have completed prestigious awards such as the Queen’s Silver Medal and DofE Award, and earned at the same time.
“Being part of the Pendennis apprenticeship scheme has allowed me to gain confidence within myself, deal with people in real life situations and I have seen the company grow to the amazing infrastructure and team we currently have.”
The perks of the apprenticeship has not just stopped at work, according to Matthew.
“By gaining all of the skills and by ‘earning as you learn’ it has allowed me to purchase my first property that I am moving into at the end of this month,” he explained.
“I can imagine that if I had taken a different route with my education, and further education I would not be in the position I am currently in right now. I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone looking to join an industry or trade.”
TES FE editor Stephen Exley said: “Congratulations to all of the winners at the TES FE Awards 2017. The judges were hugely impressed at the calibre of entries this year. It was a privilege to celebrate the successes of the sector, and give its exceptional individuals and institutions the recognition they deserve.”
