The 2022 Shipwrights’ Apprentice Lectures

The 2022 Shipwright’s Lectures took place on Wed 19 Oct 2022, at the MAST Mayflower Studios in Southampton and once again were deemed a resounding success.  The Lectures team led by Court Assistant Emeritus Mr Michael Derrick organised a fabulous programme of presentations and discussions focussed on topics of immediate relevance and interest to the sector.  Former Shipwrights’ Apprenticeship Scheme Manger Paul Harris of Maguire Boats presented the Lectures and the programme included the following:

• Apprentice Discussion: ‘Learning Experiences and Routes for Progression’. Paul discussed the benefits and challenges of taking an apprenticeship with second-year Pendennis apprentices Jess Belasco and Jed Jones and Jack Firth from Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy.
• ‘Sustainability: What have you and your company achieved since we discussed last October?’ James Scott-Anderson the Director of Blue Parameters an environmental and sustainability consultancy which specialises in tailoring ESG solutions to meet client objectives.
• ‘Looking Inland.’ Sally Tooze, Founder & Owner, Willow Boat Ltd, a family run business dedicated to high quality coach painting of narrowboats.  Sally explored the overlap between the inland and marine industries and it could benefit career progression.
• “My career path and aims for the future” Joe Manning of the RNLI Engineering office spoke about his career journey from Sunseeker apprentice to RNLI Manager.
• ‘How the Americas Cup changed the world.’ Matt Sheahan, the producer & broadcaster gave an enlightening presentation on the impact of the Americas Cup on design, technology and so much more in all fields across the globe.
• Paul Harris chaired a Panel Discussion: ‘Do it right first time, a Managers’ Confessional’ sharing experiences with Sally Tooze and Joe Manning.
• Manley Hopkinson, Motivational and Leadership Speaker from the Compassionate Leadership Academy gave the Keynote Speech, talking about his experiences on the BT Global Challenge, the round the world sailing race in 2000.
• The Prime Warden, Ms Laura Bugden, thanked all presenters and apprentices and announced the winner of the Shipwrights’ Prize 2022 at Southampton University, which went to Leonardo Vassimon who was unable to be there because he is on an Industrial Placement Year at a specialist historic vessel restoration yard in the USA.

Congratulations and thanks to all of the presenters, to the employers and apprentices who travelled to attend and to the Lectures’ sponsors, Pendennis Shipyard.  Thanks too to Michael Derrick, Simon Crawford, Paul Harris and Kate Murray for their amazing efforts.