Australia’s luxury motor yacht builder, Riviera, has again been internationally recognised for its training program, jointly winning the “Best Apprenticeship or Training Scheme” category at the prestigious annual world Boat Builder Awards held in the Amsterdam National Maritime Museum in the Netherlands this week.
IBI Editor and chair of Boat Builder Awards judging panel Ed Slack announced that Riviera Australia and Sunseeker International jointly were awarded “for their long-standing nurturing of apprentices and graduates, contributing greatly to the skilled workforces of their companies and regions.
“Our congratulations to everyone who entered and especially to those who were honoured this evening,” said Mr Slack.
Riviera has operated an apprentice training program since 1993. In that first year, eight young Australians took up apprenticeships. Today 101 young apprentices at varying stages of training, work at the company’s 16-hectare site in south-east Queensland. Alongside more than 800 highly experienced craftspeople, working together to create over 150 yachts a year, ranging in length from 39 to 78 feet, more than 60 percent of which are delivered to international markets.
Riviera Australia owner Rodney Longhurst said: “Our team is honoured with this international recognition of our commitment to training and mentoring the future master craftspeople of our industry.
“The success of Riviera’s apprenticeship program has been recognised with many awards over three decades,” he said. “The vast majority of apprentices who have graduated at Riviera have continued their careers with the company, affirming Riviera as an employer of choice. Today these young people are vital members of our team helping to meet the global demand for luxury Riviera motor yachts.”
Riviera partners with Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and Plastic and Rubber Technical Education Centre (PARTEC) organisations to facilitate technical learning during which the apprentices undertake classroom studies over three of the four years of their formal further education and training.
Riviera’s apprentices are mentored by the largest group of marine craftspeople in Australia who are part of the 900-strong Riviera team creating motor yachts that instil a real sense of confidence, safety and luxury and are built to last.
Over the past 20 years, Riviera has enhanced its award-winning apprenticeship training with its exclusive Propel program which is designed to help apprentices develop life skills that can guide them on the path to professional and personal success.
Riviera has been building luxury motor yachts since 1980, launching more than 5,800 yachts in that time.
