Riviera, Australia’s favourite and most awarded luxury boat builder has joined forces with the Gold Coast’s Helensvale State High School to rekindle the school-based apprentice program, which welcomed 11 new apprentices this month.
Riviera and Helensvale State High School forged a strong partnership in 1997 when Riviera first began the school-based apprentice program. This multi-award winning training program has produced hundreds of highly skilled tradesmen with nationally recognised qualifications, many of whom have had the opportunity to travel and work overseas with Riviera. In 2014, Riviera is proud to relaunch its school-based apprentice program and commence training its future master craftsmen.
Apprenticeship project mentor Tony Vaughan said the first year apprentices would undertake practical on-the-job training in all aspects, including boat building, lamination, upholstery, electrical and engineering.
“Our school-based apprentices will be based at Riviera two days a week, one day at the TAFE centre, which is located onsite within the Riviera complex, and the other day will be dedicated to on-the-job training,” he said.
“The students will be truly immersed in the dynamics of the luxury boat building industry and will gain a full understanding of all the trades, which will provide valuable experience and knowledge of their craft.”
Boat building apprentice Mitchell Clarke, 16, said he had always been fascinated with boats and was pleased to have the opportunity to learn how to build Riviera’s luxury boats.
“I have done a lot of fibreglassing at school and my teacher, who previously worked at Riviera, suggested that I consider boat building, and I am glad I did,” Mitchell said.
“I am amazed at how large the Riviera manufacturing facility is and how clean and organised the work stations are. It is also great having TAFE here onsite because it saves me a lot of travel time and I can learn with my friends.”
Jarad Walker, 16, is also studying boat building and he said he enjoyed learning about the different stages of construction and how the boats were assembled.
“This apprenticeship will give me manufacturing knowledge, workshop skills and a qualification that is recognised around the world,” he said.
Helensvale State High School principal Mark Blackshaw said they were extremely excited to hear that Riviera had decided to relaunch its school-based apprentice program.
“We have a long and proud relationship with this company and to have our school associated with such a prestigious international brand provides a great opportunity for our students,” Mr Blackshaw said.
“To have a world-class facility such as Riviera right on our doorstep and the convenience of the TAFE centre located within the Riviera complex provides our students with a truly unique opportunity, and the fact that they will be building luxury boats that actively compete with the best in the world throughout the duration of their apprenticeship is an invaluable experience.
“This apprenticeship program will provide each student with transferable skills, which is important because the training is all about real and relevant learning and our school fully supports this concept.
“Five years ago the Construction industry was where most apprentices were employed on the Gold Coast, but in recent years the number has dropped significantly, so we are educating our students about the opportunities available to them within local industry.”
“Riviera provides our students with a world-class training facility where they can go from the classroom to the workshop and see first-hand the multi-million dollar boats that they will be part of building.
“The Riviera experience is really empowering and motivating for our students and I feel extremely grateful to have 12 per cent of our school-based apprentices with the one employer.”
Riviera’s CEO Wes Moxey began his career as a boat building apprentice and joined Riviera in 1982 as a shipwright, just two years after the company was founded in 1980, so he is extremely passionate about Riviera’s school-based apprentice program.
“It is pleasing to see so many young people showing an interest in the marine industry. Here at Riviera, we are proud of our rich heritage and our award-winning training program. I am also proud to see a large majority of our original apprentices in management roles within the company today, including our general manager Scott Cumming,” Mr Moxey said.
“This year’s students are of a high calibre and have a tremendous attitude towards their future. For me, it is extremely exciting to work with such motivated young adults and I hope they are inspired by the success of our former apprentices and look forward to a bright very future at Riviera.”
Riviera will commence enrolments for the 2015 school-based apprentice program later in the year.
Riviera offers 15 different models from 36 to 75 feet across three model series Flybridge, Sport Yacht and the new SUV collection.
In 2012 Riviera celebrated the launch of its 5000th boat, the 445 SUV, a significant achievement in the company’s rich 34-year history.
Riviera also offers the bespoke Belize Motoryachts. Inspired by classic luxury details and timeless style, Belize Motoryachts has recently released the new 54-foot Sedan and Daybridge models.