Pioneer Sailing Trust Project Update

15 October 2011

Basic Skills Workshop

Over the past 6 months 5 apprentices have been engaged with training activities in the boatyard under the direction of the shipwright/trainers.  During this period, particular emphasis was placed on developing the foundation skills of the apprentices.  This was in response to initial skills analysis demonstrating that the level of the most basic practical skills that the apprentices had when entering the workplace were at a very low level.  As a result, for 12 weeks, intensive instruction was given by one of the shipwright trainers which focused on the fundamental, basic practical skills.  This included how to sharpen and handle hand tools and electric tools, how to create basic wood joints, how to join pieces of wood.  To support this intensive training, a separate workshop area was set up with space for each of the apprentices to have their own work area, vice etc. 

The outcome of this 12 week period has seen a dramatic increase in the capabilities and the confidence of the apprentices.  All of the apprentices are now able to support other boat building and repair work in the yard with a degree of confidence.

The development of the 12 week programme will now be incorporated into future apprenticeship programmes.

15 minute walk around

An additional and simple training activity that has been introduced is the requirement that once a week, all of the boatyard team – including all of the apprentices, shipwright trainers and shipwrights are required to describe the work they have been doing during the previous week.  This takes the form of a walk around the yard building and looking at each of the current boat projects.  Apprentices and shipwrights are required to describe what they have been doing on the respective projects. 

This simple activity has proved to be very useful in exposing the apprentices to a broader understanding of the types of skills needed within the boatyard and the technical aspects of different types of boat.

Rowing Gig

Considerable effort has been placed in the construction of a mould and 1st production rowing gig.  This has been designed to be a boat that during construction will develop a useful range of skills for the apprentices.  To date, the mould has been created and the first production gig in approximately 50% complete.