An apprenticeship can lead to many different parts of the marine world, from the electrics in a small boat to the jobs that keep a marina running. British Marine put those routes in the spotlight during a dedicated careers programme at the Southampton International Boat Show on 22 September.
More than 70 apprentices were recognised for their achievements, representing employers and disciplines across the industry. The event also named a national apprentice award recipient and brought prospective newcomers into direct contact with training providers.
A marina and boatyard apprentice takes the award
Jack Hayden, a Marina and Boatyard Operative Apprentice at Fambridge Yacht Haven, was named British Marine Apprentice of the Year for 2026. He was selected from a six-person shortlist spanning different parts of the sector.
The wider recognition ceremony included apprentices from Princess Yachts, Sunseeker, Berthon and Fibre Mechanics. Their training encompassed boatbuilding, carpentry, marine engineering, electrical work, composites and other specialist roles.
The careers event attracted more than 300 visitors
British Marine says its Careers and Apprenticeship Evening welcomed more than 300 students, parents, teachers and jobseekers, compared with a previous attendance record of 100. Visitors could meet employers and providers and discuss routes into practical as well as office-based careers.
That breadth matters for young people who enjoy boats but do not yet know which skills would suit them. A marina operative, engineer and boatbuilder work in very different environments despite serving the same leisure marine community.
Small craft depend on an active skills pipeline
Under-12m boating relies on technicians, yards, equipment suppliers and training centres as much as it does on boat manufacturers. Employers that can show newcomers how the jobs fit together may make the industry less difficult to enter.
For LBG readers, the ceremony is a reminder that the future of a working waterfront also depends on people. The practical skills recognised at Southampton ultimately support boat ownership, repair and safe operation at a local level.