Company invests in younger generation offering multi-skilled training

A forward-thinking Great Yarmouth company is investing in its people of the future by training and supporting a raft of next generation young staff members.

Boat builder Goodchild Marine has employed 10 new trainees, all 25 and under, who are being offered skilled training in multi areas.

The award-winning business in Burgh Castle, is one of the UK’s industry leaders renowned for its flagship range of ORC pilot vessels, which has attracted orders from The Port of London, Dublin Port Company and Cattewater Plymouth.

In line, with Look Beyond, this year’s theme for National Apprenticeship Week, the latest recruits are receiving diverse training, sponsorship and support in skills such as electrics, lamination, carpentry, engineering and boat building.

Some are specialising in specific fields, while others will take up the opportunity to develop expertise in more than one skill.

Jamie Paul, 20, has swapped his career in retail to train as a laminator after relocating to Norfolk, following many family holidays in the county.

His work has extended to Leader, the UK’s first ever hybrid pilot boat.

He said: “The company has offered me lots of opportunities to try different trades – but I think laminating is definitely my favourite. I’ve really found my niche.

“My future ambition is to become a supervisor. Lots of people start here as trainees and work their way up; few people leave because it is such a great place to work. I never find myself not wanting to come to work, even with the 6am starts.”

Simon Cross, 25, is the company’s new Design Engineer, who, sponsored by the team, will shortly begin studying for his chartership.

He works with customers to design, research and develop their vessels, while Aaron Hudson, 19, the youngest new recruit, has left his job as a lifeguard to train as an electrician.

Aaron Cooper, 23, has only worked for Goodchild Marine for five months, and is already spending three days a week at the site of one of the company’s clients, as a maintenance engineer.

He said: “I am really happy to have been trusted to represent the company outside of the yard. Goodchild Marine is always open to trying new things and they give employees the chance to learn other people’s trades.

“They are a really family-based company – everyone is really friendly and straight up. They think about what’s best for their employees.”

Steve Pierce, General Manager at Goodchild Marine, said investment in training was part of the succession plan.

“We are really impressed with our new raft of employees. They all bring something different to the table and display the talent we need to keep our business running way into the future.

“We are extremely proud of the fact that they are local. It’s been an issue for several years to recruit locally and we are hoping that our reputation in the industry is helping to attract people to train with us and stay in the area.”