Marine Craftsperson
What is the work like?
Marine craftspeople work for shipbuilding, and ship repair and conversion companies; and boatbuilding, repair and maintenance firms in smaller marinas and boatyards. Their work can range from building hulls on sea-going vessels to restoring the fixtures and fittings on traditional narrowboats.
As a marine craftsperson, you would use carpentry, electrical, plumbing, welding and painting skills, as well as more traditional maritime craft skills like rigging and sailmaking. You would work with materials ranging from wood and steel plate, to glass- or fibre-reinforced plastics (GRP/FRP).
If you are working on smaller marine craft, your duties could include:
- marking out construction materials using engineering design templates
- welding, cutting and shaping parts or sections
- assembling boat sections and pipework
- installing engines
- 'fitting out' the vessel with furnishings, navigation and communications equipment, heating and lighting and, if appropriate, rigging.
If you have a job in a dockyard or shipyard, you are more likely to work on larger ships, tankers, and oil and gas platforms for offshore sites.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. Employers may want to see some GCSEs (A-C) like maths, English, science, engineering, design and technology or equivalent qualifications.
As an alternative, you may be able to take broader engineering college courses, which would give you some of the skills needed for this job. Courses include BTEC Certificates and Diplomas in Mechanical, Electrical or Electronic Engineering. You could also take a higher-level courses, such as HNCs or HNDs in Marine Engineering.
You may find qualifications and/or experience in other craft areas such as welding, joinery or plumbing useful for finding jobs. Courses covering these skills are also widely available at colleges throughout the country.
Some colleges based in traditional boatbuilding areas may run introductory courses in marine crafts. These are mainly in the south-west, along the south coast and East Anglia. You could also check with inland and coastal leisure marinas for possible opportunities. Unless you live in or near to these areas, you may need to relocate to find work.
See the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), British Marine Federation and SEMTA websites for information about careers in marine engineering.
What further training and development can I do?
You will be given training on the job by your employer. You can study towards one of a number of work-based qualifications, which include:
- NVQ Engineering Maintenance levels 2 and 3
- NVQ Marine Engineering levels 2 and 3
- NVQ Marine Engineering Operations levels 3 and 4
- BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Operations and Maintenance Engineering
- City & Guilds Certificate in Boat Building, Maintenance and Support (2451) levels 2 and 3 (covers yacht and boat construction, hull assembly, fitting out and engine systems).
You can find information on relevant work-based courses and qualifications on the British Marine Federation website . It also has details of training providers around the country, offering courses such as:
- laminates and composites
- liquid petroleum gas (LPG)
- electrics and plumbing
- rope/wire splicing.
You will also find details of higher education courses and, if you are working in the industry, information about professional development training on the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology website.
Where can I go for more information?
80 Coleman StreetLondon
EC2R 5BJ
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0800 282167
Thorpe Lea Road
Egham
Surrey
TW20 8BF
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries are between £12,000 and £17,000 a year.
- A qualified craftsperson can earn between £18,000 and £22,000.
- Senior craftspeople can earn up to £25,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would work between 37 and 40 hours a week. Urgent repair work may mean you have to work weekends or shifts, including nights.
Some shipbuilding and boat-building work can be done under cover in large indoor sheds, but much of your job will be outside in all weathers. Your working conditions could be cramped and dirty at times, and some jobs may involve working at heights.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent practical skills
- good teamworking skills
- the ability to solve problems
- computer skills
- good numeracy skills
- the ability to understand technical plans and drawings
- good communication skills
- a reasonable level of fitness
- some knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD) packages if involved in boat design.
What opportunities are there?
This industry employs about 8,000 people in boatbuilding and around 1,500 in repair and maintenance in the UK.
You would find opportunities for work on larger vessels mainly in shipyards of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England. Jobs in boatbuilding and repair tend to be on a much smaller scale and are found in coastal areas, especially around the south-west, south-east and East Anglia.
With experience and qualifications, you could work your way up to technician level. You could also move into marine design or specialist equipment sales and support. You could use your craft skills to transfer into the wider engineering or construction engineering industries.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)
Engineering Jobs Network
British Marine Federation
Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology
Jobcentre Plus
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