Over 60 new apprenticeships are now being offered by Australia’s premium luxury motor yacht builder, Riviera.
The Gold Coast based manufacturer is looking for over 60 talented, young craftsmen and women to join its already 950-strong team – seeking 40 school-based and 20 full-time apprentices. In addition, Riviera is seeking a further 30 general hands, production employees and qualified tradespeople to join its team.
There are 10 individual trades available through the Riviera Academy of Excellence training program, covering Marine Craft Construction, Composites, Cabinetmaking, Diesel Fitting, Fabrication, Electrical, Timber Composites Machining, French Polishing and Upholstery.
The final Apprentice Program Information Evening for 2024, to be held at Riviera’s world-class manufacturing facility on July 25, from 5.30pm, is now open for pre-registration.
Riviera strongly encourages females to also consider a career in the luxury motor yacht industry.
“We had a record intake of females in January this year, so we’re hoping to grow on that success again in 2025,” Riviera Apprentice & Training Manager Keira Badke says.
“Historically, boat building has been seen as a male industry, but with the broad range of apprenticeships we now offer, that has very much changed.
“With our growing number of females there’s such a great dynamic across all our departments, and everyone works together here to create our world-class motor yachts.
“A career in boat building can even take you around the world, as Riviera exports around 60% of our annual production internationally and has a growing operations base in Florida in the United States.
“At Riviera though, it’s not just about training the best boat builders, but helping to create the best people.
“We love giving opportunities to young locals and keeping jobs on the Gold Coast.
“Anyone who’s interested in boat building and our related trades is encouraged to pre-register for our final Information Evening for 2024.”
At any given time, Riviera is training about 150 apprentices, from first to fourth year.
Over the past three decades, around 400 tradespeople have earned their qualifications through the company’s award-winning training program. Many have continued to grown and developed with the business and now hold key roles within Riviera.
In January, Riviera opened its state-of-the-art training centre, the Academy of Excellence, located within the company’s 16.8 hectare facility where apprentices learn life skills alongside their chosen trade. This 680sqm centre comprises two fully operational workshops, two learning hubs including a dedicated drafting room, offices and meeting rooms.
“I’m exceptionally proud to be helping mentor our talented apprentices and giving them such a great opportunity – it’s immensely rewarding for me, personally, to see our apprentices develop into such accomplished mature adults, with world leading skills,” Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst says.
“Our significant investment in our Academy reflects our investment in all our 950-strong team.
“We want each person at Riviera to be the best they can be.
“So many of our senior managers and tradespeople have completed their apprenticeships here, highlighting the rewarding and long-term career pathway that we offer.”
