Employees at luxury yacht manufacturer Princess Yachts have learnt a new trade thanks to an innovative joinery course designed in partnership with City College Plymouth.
The bespoke ten-week carpentry academy was developed in response to Princess Yachts’ initiative which encourages a broadening of skills amongst their employees to enable them to advance their career by working in different departments.
The initial cohort of ten employees learnt all the skills required to make custom-built furniture from expert lecturers at the College and have now completed the course, receiving a formal qualification in bench joinery.
Roger Manser, 56, was a chippy by trade and had recently joined the company when he was offered the chance to apply for the course. He said: “Having never done anything like this before, this course offered a completely different direction for my career. I wanted that knowledge and to work with materials I have never used before.”
Diane Ekland, Safety, Health and Environment and Training Manager at Princess Yachts, said: “This course has been a great success with all ten completing the programme and achieving their qualifications. I am really proud of them all, and I hope the students will go away feeling better equipped and more confident in their own abilities. This course has achieved exactly what we wanted it to; upskilling Princess Yachts employees in their field. It is just one of the many reasons we value our close working relationship with the College.”
City College's Academy Manager of Construction and Allied Trades, Charlie Pond, said: “The students have worked tirelessly; every time I dropped in to the workshop, they had their heads down and were working hard - it is great to see this pay off. They have worked as a team and helped each other to succeed; sharing their knowledge and skills which I am sure they will continue to do when back at work.”
Businesses who are interested in how the College could support them to meet their training needs are advised to call 01752 305026 or e-mail employers@cityplym.ac.uk for more information. Please click here for more details
About City College Plymouth
City College Plymouth is a leading provider of innovative, technical and professional education and training, with a reputation for promoting enterprise, employability and science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). Find out more at cityplym.ac.uk.
Ofsted rated the College as ‘good’ in its 2016 inspection visit (source: Ofsted Inspection Report 2016).
The College’s Apprenticeship achievement rates are 14% above the national average, placing us 1st in the South West and 12th nationally out of all General Further Education Colleges (source: National Achievement Rates Tables 2015/16).
1st in the South West and 2nd in the UK for student satisfaction (FE Choices 2017).
The College was awarded Gold on the Teaching Excellence Framework in relation to its higher education provision in June 2017.
City College Plymouth is the highest performing general further education college in the country for employer satisfaction with a 99.5% positive rating (2016-17 FE Choices Employer Satisfaction Survey).
The College was awarded Gold in the Website Development category at the College Marketing Network’s FE First Awards in November 2017.
City College Plymouth is a Highly Trusted Sponsor of UK Visas and Immigration and has been awarded the International Charter by the Association of Colleges
Princess Yachts
Plymouth-based Princess Yachts epitomises the best of British manufacture, from its quality craftsmanship, design and engineering pedigree, to the refined elegant and luxury interior styling of its craft. The result blends cutting-edge technology with traditional craftsmanship to set new standards in performance, evident across the Princess range of sophisticated Flybridge motor yachts, dynamic V Class sports yachts, ground-breaking S Class sportbridge yachts and flagship M Class superyachts. The Princess reputation for design, engineering and manufacturing excellence has earned the company global appeal and established it as a truly international brand.
Princess Yachts was acquired in 2008 by L Capital 2 FCPR, an investment group co-sponsored by LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) and Groupe Arnault. In January 2016, L Capital merged with Catterton to become L Catterton, now recognised as the largest global consumer-faced investment firm.
For further information contact:
Claire Ashton, Communications Manager
Princess Yachts Limited,
T: +44 (0) 1752 203888
E: claire.ashton@princessyachts.com