Boat related work experience

[mlines]

My son is looking towards a career in the leisure marine industry. Having completed his GCSEs last year he had moved on to study business at a local Further Education college (this was recommended by a UK marina company).

In May (13th to 17th) they are out on a "Work Experience" week. If this is anything like the schools work experience week in his GCSE years this could be limited photo-copying and trying to leave early to go home (which is probably an accurate experience of working life!). This would be a waste of a week.

We have sent requests to some local companies and have not received even a negative reply.

Is there anyone/organisation out there who could offer a work experience boat related week?

We are in the Thames Valley so something in that area would be good but would consider something further afield if we could make the travel bit work.

Martin

 

[David2452]

Does he want (need) practical experience or something different, e.g. marina staffing.

 

[mlines]

Does he want (need) practical experience or something different, e.g. marina staffing.

Anything to be honest. His first love is the practical boat handling side and we have looked into marina staffing as this can combine both practical boats as well as understanding it has to function as a viable business.

He has a lot of small boat handling experience which he wants to develop into larger boats, looking at Day skipper next year during second year at college,

But anything boat related from marina, boat sales, handling, maintenance, delivery would be better than the local office based week the college offer by default to anyone who fails to secure their own week.

Martin

 

[alant]

My son is looking towards a career in the leisure marine industry. Having completed his GCSEs last year he had moved on to study business at a local Further Education college (this was recommended by a UK marina company).

In May (13th to 17th) they are out on a "Work Experience" week. If this is anything like the schools work experience week in his GCSE years this could be limited photo-copying and trying to leave early to go home (which is probably an accurate experience of working life!). This would be a waste of a week.

We have sent requests to some local companies and have not received even a negative reply.

Is there anyone/organisation out there who could offer a work experience boat related week?

We are in the Thames Valley so something in that area would be good but would consider something further afield if we could make the travel bit work.

Martin

IMO, & experience, those jobs are best found by personal approach, such as turning up at a marina/boatyard & talking to people. They can see what they are getting & your son can ask enthusiastic questions. I used to live in Benson & there's a 'marina' there.

 

[David2452]

Anything to be honest. His first love is the practical boat handling side and we have looked into marina staffing as this can combine both practical boats as well as understanding it has to function as a viable business.

He has a lot of small boat handling experience which he wants to develop into larger boats, looking at Day skipper next year during second year at college,

But anything boat related from marina, boat sales, handling, maintenance, delivery would be better than the local office based week the college offer by default to anyone who fails to secure their own week.

Martin

I'll speak to the guy who runs a large London marina about it, I could offer some practical expeerience but can't be sure where I will be working at that time, probably in London but could be Ipswich area or even closer to you.

 

[mlines]

I'll speak to the guy who runs a large London marina about it, I could offer some practical experience but can't be sure where I will be working at that time, probably in London but could be Ipswich area or even closer to you.

Thanks, it would be interesting to see if something could be found, although I suspect travelling across London may be a bit far to make the travel element work for him

 

[David2452]

Thanks, it would be interesting to see if something could be found, although I suspect travelling across London may be a bit far to make the travel element work for him

OK, better confirm that before I ask then.

 

[mlines]

Just an update.

Many, many thanks to those who took the time and consideration to respond to this post either directly by posting in this thread or via personal messages.

As always this forum has been an oasis of generosity and I would like to record our thanks to everyone.

Through this post and forum members James now has an offer of work experience that we will be taking up.

Martin