Shipwrights Funded Apprentice, Leo at Stirling & Son - The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights

Stirling and Son operate a traditional boatyard from the historic No. 1 covered slipway in Plymouth, Devon. They specialise in traditional yacht building and wooden boat repair. Here is Sara Stirling talking about the boat building apprentice they took on with Shipwrights’ Apprenticeship Scheme funding:

Leo Avramidis embarked on his 3 year Traditional Boatbuilding Apprenticeship with Stirling and Son in September 2013. His first year is funded by the JCP Wage Incentive and the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights. Leo is 23 and moved to Devon from Kent to take up his apprenticeship after completing a City and Guilds level 2 in boatbuilding at Lowestoft College. Leo stood out from the crowd during the apprenticeship application process both on paper (he is academically very high achieving) and during his practical trial days in the yard. He has shown willing and enthusiasm for all aspects of his work, from attending a first aid at work course to his day release (where he scored Falmouth Marine School’s ‘best ever result’ in his first assessment), to his dedication to his practical duties. From day one Leo has shown great potential to become a talented boatbuilder. He posses the qualities of interest, enthusiasm, hard work and independent thinking that Stirling and Son value.

Traditional Boatbuilding Apprentice, Leo Avramidis, with Falmouth Marine School tutor, John Habgood, on the Stirling and Son Ltd slipway in Plymouth.

Quote from Leo:
‘I applied for the apprenticeship with Stirling and Son as it offered me the opportunity to learn a traditional craft in a very traditional environment, specifically the restoration of wooden vessels on an historical slipway. I am surrounded by shipwrights who have a wealth of knowledge and experience that I am eager to draw on and that will hopefully one day turn me into someone just as competent. Already I have been involved with a variety of projects from a clinker dinghy to a Brixham trawler. The most exciting thing is that every day is different which means constantly learning and facing new challenges. I think this is the perfect springboard for an adventurous career and I am very grateful to have such a unique opportunity.’

For more information on Stirling and Son please visit www.stirlingandson.co.uk and to discover how the Shipwrights can help your company to employ marine apprentices click to visit the Shipwright’s Apprenticeship Scheme page and follow us on Twitter