Apprentice Carpenter

About Sunseeker International

Sunseeker International is a global icon in the manufacture of luxury motor yachts, building market leading products since 1967.

Based and manufactured in Poole on the south coast of England, Sunseeker is one of Dorset’s largest private employers and is represented on every continent by a global network of distributors. Never settling for second best, it’s this spirit of excellence that has driven Sunseeker to its leading position in the marine industry today.

Role overview:

In this highly skilled craft position you will learn your trade on a production line working alongside skilled Carpenters. You’ll work in different stages of the build such as first fix construction, leading up to the final fit out stage. You’ll learn how to read production drawings to build the internal structure of yachts and then the fit out of living spaces including kitchens and bathrooms. Learning traditional carpentry skills that are renowned through our brand worldwide is the aim of this apprenticeship. You will also learn other aspects of marine manufacture including, composite manufacture, production systems, quality measures and health and safety.

If you love working with wood and have a general interest in building and construction, this is the role for you.

Salary: £5.50 per hour in year one, rising to £15.00 per hour upon completion of training after year four, plus overtime with on target earnings of c.£36,000 per annum
Employment Type: Four year fixed term training contract
Working Hours: 7:00am to 3:30pm (four days a week)
College Hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm (one day a week)
Working Location: Sunseeker Shipyard, Poole, BH15 4AB OR Sunseeker Willis Way, Poole, BH15 3SZ, or Sunseeker West Quay Road, Poole, BH15 1JD

Example responsibilities include:

• Building yacht interior structures such as walls and floor structures
• Fitting ceiling grounds and material covered panelling
• Fitting window bands and frames
• Second and final fix joinery with veneer and solid wood
• Fitting pre bespoke high value fitted furniture
• Fitting kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces including hard flooring
• General housekeeping and application of LEAN manufacturing tools such as 5S

Our ideal candidate:

• Holds 5 GCSEs (predicted or achieved) including English and Maths at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent, such as a relevant level 1 (or higher) vocational qualification (NVQ, C&G, etc)
• Is available to commence employment in September 2023
• Has ambition to work in a fast paced construction environment within a factory setting
• Is able to provide some examples of your interest in Carpentry/Joinery. For example; work experience completed in this field, or home/college/school/club projects you have worked on
• Is able to provide some examples of “extra curricular” activity and achievements. For example; Sports club membership or other associations such as but not limited to Scouts, Guides, Cadets, Duke of Edinburgh, Charities or any other volunteering examples

Sunseeker apprentices benefit from:

Alongside the opportunity to work closely with our remarkable products, Sunseeker offers a comprehensive benefits package to Apprentices.

• Sunseeker provides a rewarding career starting with a four year fixed term training contract working towards a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Boat Building (wood pathway)
• Paid day release to college
• 22 days holidays plus bank holidays
• Company sick pay
• Overtime (for those 18 or older)
• Canteen facilities
• The opportunity for a permanent contract with private medical insurance, dental care and an extra 3 days holiday. Promotion opportunities and further education options also exist on the completion of training.

Grading pay through the Apprenticeship is currently as follows and is subject to change:

• Year 1. £5.50 p/h irrespective of age
• Year 2. £7.00 p/h (Aged 21-22 *£9.18 p/h), (Aged 23+ *£9.50 p/h)
• Year 3. £9.30 p/h (Aged 23+ *£9.50 p/h)
• Year 4. £12.70p/h
• On completion up to £14.50 p/h plus options to earn up to £15.00 p/h with a discretionary and non-contractual “Values” uplift and regular team based performance payments.

There is no maximum age restriction or requirement for apprenticeship funding, however the pay grades remain the same. Any employment offers will be conditional upon; The Company receiving two acceptable references, proving your ongoing right to work in the UK, satisfactory evidence of your achieved qualifications and, satisfactory completion of a drug and alcohol test. Key dates for assessment and interview processes are; Skills Assessment day is Wednesday 29 March 2023 , Sunseeker Shipyard Tour dates to be confirmed. You must be available to start on Tuesday 29 August 2023.