Riviera is shaping the future careers of 35 apprentices who were welcomed to the company’s award-winning training program this year. They were among 45 to join the Riviera team in 2022, including 10 mature-aged trainees who have brought further experience to the company’s highly skilled team.
Riviera’s 900-strong team includes 107 apprentices, all of whom are being trained by experienced tradespeople in their respective fields across the company’s Gold Coast facility, the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
The growing apprenticeship program followed another year of achievements for Riviera, as it champions the further enhancement of skills in the Australian marine industry, reflecting the company’s reputation for creating world-class luxury motor yachts.
Riviera’s new apprentices are being trained on site at Riviera’s 16.8-hectare state-of-the-art facility on the Gold Coast.
“Since joining our team, our first-year apprentices are making great strides in developing the necessary skills to become the master craftspeople of the future,” says Adam Houlahan, Riviera’s Safety, Training and Recruitment Manager.
“Our apprentices are mentored by a passionate and highly skilled team at Riviera over the four years of their training, before they become fully qualified in their respective trades.”
“We’re proud to be growing our skills base further this year with the addition of new trades to our apprenticeship program in line with the advances in design and finishes of our motor yacht range.”
School-based apprentice Laura Hillman, who is studying a Cert III in Engineering (Mechanical Trade) Diesel Fitting is among the many female apprentices taking advantage of career opportunities at Riviera.
Among the new trades offered for the first time in 2022 at Riviera are a Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication and a Certificate III in French Polishing. The new apprentices who joined the Riviera team this year have also filled positions in electrical, upholstery, cabinetmaking and engineering trades.
Among the new apprentices benefitting from the training received at Riviera is Harry Tonks, who is four months into his Timber and Composites Machining program.
“I feel as though I have learned so much already,” says Harry. “It’s such a welcoming team environment and there is so much experience in our department to guide us along the way.”
Harry’s role in machining involves the early stages of building Riviera motor yachts, where composite materials are precision-cut and assembled in a digital kit before being sent to the lamination department where they form the hulls and decks of yachts.
“My job is a just a small part of the much bigger picture of what it takes to build amazing boats at Riviera,” says Harry.
Our apprentices are mentored by a passionate and highly skilled team at Riviera over the four years of their training before they become fully qualified in their respective trades
Adam Houlahan
“It’s quite a balanced trade in that it requires a combination of manual and numerical skills. While I am continuing to develop skills in a specialised area of my trade at the moment, my confidence is growing and I see a lot of opportunities ahead at Riviera. I’m so happy to be a part of the team.”
Connor Edwards is also new to Riviera after joining earlier this year with an apprenticeship in Marine Craft Construction.
“I am really enjoying my experience at Riviera because it gives me an opportunity to develop the professional and personal skills I will need for a career in the marine industry,” says Connor.
“Since starting here, I’ve seen how well we all work together as a team across the factory. It inspires me that we begin building a boat from nothing, just the raw materials, and then to see it develop into the end-product is really incredible. It makes you appreciate the effort that everyone puts into building boats of this size and quality.”
Connor is aiming to forge a long-term career at Riviera.
“I’m already learning from the most experienced tradespeople in the industry, including some who started out with an apprenticeship the same as me,” he says.
All new full-time apprentices will participate in Riviera’s unique four-year Propel program, which is aimed at enhancing personal development of all apprentices by providing additional training in life and leadership skills.
Propel is led by the company’s senior management team, including Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst and CEO Wes Moxey.
Mr Longhurst congratulated the new apprentices and the progress they have made since joining Riviera earlier this year.
“Not only are we creating the master craftspeople of the future, but we are also supporting the growth of vital skills in the local marine industry,” says Mr Longhurst.
“The benefits of our program are reflected in the high level of retention among our apprentices, most of whom enjoy long careers with Riviera. Through our award-winning training program and years of experience, the trainees of today ultimately will become the experienced mentors of the future which is a fantastic outcome for the entire team.”
Riviera is filling further apprenticeship positions to continue growing its team, with positions available in Marine Craft Construction, Timber and Composite Machining, Polymer Processing and Automotive Refinishing Technology. For more information, go to Riviera Careers.
