Riviera apprentices celebrate their graduation
The class of 2026 proudly display their graduation certificates. 11 apprentices graduated this year. Unfortunately, three apprentices were unable to attend the evening ceremony.
“I can’t tell you when the light bulbs will go on in your minds. But they will. You are just a little way into your lives and careers. You are not long out of high school. Just keep working and learning,” said Riviera Australia owner Rodney Longhurst.
“You are joining the dots in your skills, in your confidence and in your belief in yourselves,” Mr Longhurst continued. “I can see you gaining momentum in your careers. This is the time you need to stay focused. It is easy at this stage to get lost or distracted. You’ve achieved a significant goal, and you might think this is a time to rest. Keep on that journey of growing and the opportunities will come. You will surprise yourselves.”
Riviera Australia owner Rodney Longhurst was addressing 11 apprentices during their graduation celebration at the company’s exclusive Yacht Club, overlooking the marina and a spectacular array of new Riviera yachts being prepared for commissioning.
The ceremony evening was held at the Riviera Yacht Club, where Rodney Longhurst addressed the assembled guests.
“Keep on that journey of growing and the opportunities will come.”
Rodney Longhurst
Ben Griffiths has just completed his Certificate III qualification in Electrotechnology.
“I started with Riviera as a school-based apprentice and knew I wanted to work with my hands,” he said. “Then I quickly discovered I really enjoy problem-solving. Much of my training was to learn how to install and check electrical systems on board the yachts. I realised I also enjoyed programming the systems, so now I spend much of my time behind a computer screen in the office.”
Ben Griffiths (centre) with Rodney Longhurst and Systems Engineering Manager, Andy Clayton (right) .
“I started with Riviera as a school-based apprentice and knew I wanted to work with my hands,”
Ben Griffiths
Shayla Mulcahy had two reasons to celebrate. She became a qualified Timber and Composites Machinist on the day of the graduation dinner.
“I’ve always been interested in timber and how it could be machined,” she said. “However, the sophistication of the systems at Riviera was a really big surprise for me. It is amazing how we can program the machines to create so many components and parts, but I also learned that we need to understand in detail how to service and maintain these machines.
“The Propel program was really important to me as we learned life skills that are not really taught in school or discussed much at home; skills such as handling money and planning to buy a car or a house. We also learned the important skill of leadership at work.
Shayla Mulcahy.
“The Propel program was really important to me as we learned life skills that are not really taught in school or discussed much at home…”
Kayla Mulcahy
Left – Riviera Trainers Darren Kearns and Justin Leigh-Smith (right). Right – Riviera Apprentice and Training Manager Keira Bradke.
“The dinner and celebration also allowed all of us who were graduating to say a big ‘thank you’ to our mentors, particularly our trainers Justin and Darren.”
Addressing the celebration dinner, Riviera’s Apprentice and Training Manager Keira Bradke said: “The skills you have developed, the challenges you have overcome, have brought you to this milestone.”
“The skills you have developed, the challenges you have overcome, have brought you to this milestone.”
Keira Badke
Since 1993, Riviera has helped develop hundreds of marine industry master craftspeople through its acclaimed Academy of Excellence apprentice training and Propel programs.
Propel is a specially created four-year program that runs in parallel with Riviera’s vocational apprentice training and is designed to enhance the personal development of all apprentices. It aims to equip them with a range of life skills beyond their technical training, focusing on leadership, communication, relationship building and personal finance.
The program is led by senior trainers, including Riviera Australia owner Rodney Longhurst.
The Certificate III is an entirely competency-based education program. To graduate, students must successfully satisfy specific performance metrics including core and elective units, completing a set number of specialised modules mapped directly to industry occupational standards. Each student must demonstrate technical tasks under direct observation instead of writing traditional academic essays.
The Riviera Academy of Excellence has been recognised at both the state and national levels with awards recognising the company’s outstanding training program that spans three decades.
Riviera’s Manufacturing Director Kyle Davison told the young apprentices: “Your careers are taking off from here. It does not happen overnight so we urge you to continue to learn and absorb everything that the Riviera team can teach you.
“Keep doing what you have been taught in your journey through Propel,
I started through a similar program and have progressed through the ranks at Riviera. So, there are great opportunities ahead for you all.”
Senior Training Manager Darren Kearns urged the apprentices to continue with personal development.
“Just back yourself,” he said. “The Academy’s doors are always open. We don’t close them just because you have a certificate.”
“…we urge you to continue to learn and absorb everything that the Riviera team can teach you.”
Kyle Davison
Left: Brock Anderson - Certificate III in Electrotechnology. Right: Samuel Baddeley - Certificate III in Electrotechnology.
Left: Oskar Dreese - Certificate III in Electrotechnology. Right: Benjamin Griffiths - Certificate III in Electrotechnology.
Left: Laura Hillman - Certificate III in Fixed and Mobile Plant Mechanic. Right: shayla Mulcahy - Certificate III in Timber & Composites Machinist
Left: Charlie Tisdell-Hall - Certificate III in Polymer Processing (Composite Tech). Right: Maddison Tuskin - Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction.
Graduating apprentices Jeda Bryan - Certificate III in Electrotechnology, Caden Fletcher - Certificate III in Electrotechnology and Blake Riddell - Certificate III in Polymer Processing (Composite Tech) were unable to attend the awards evening.
The graduating class of 2026
Brock Anderson – Certificate III in Electrotechnology
Samuel Baddeley – Certificate III in Electrotechnology
Jeda Bryan – Certificate III in Electrotechnology
Oskar Dreese – Certificate III in Electrotechnology
Caden Fletcher – Certificate III in Electrotechnology
Benjamin Griffiths – Certificate III in Electrotechnology
Laura Hillman – Certificate III in Fixed and Mobile Plant Mechanic
Shayla Mulcahy – Certificate III in Timber and Composites Machinist
Blake Riddell – Certificate III in Polymer Processing (Composite Tech)
Charlie Tisdell-Hall – Certificate III in Polymer Processing (Composite Tech)
Maddison Tuskin – Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction
