Lowestoft boat building college to close

[Egret]

I do sense it is a myth that apprentices cost a business as they are or should be working from day 1 doing something useful, and if they are not making money for the business that is a problem of how they are managed. They bring new skills such as with computers and CAD and new outlook. In another field I see apprentices working hard for little money for 2 or 5 years then cast aside at the end - openly with a final presentation - and another cheap apprentice taken on - essential for profitability. Training agreements will often require apprentices to pay back fees if they leave within 2 years of finishing, - so it is a win-win for the company. I didn't enter a training agreement as didn't want to commit for 5 years - I moved twice and it took an extra couple of years but I qualified - I did see new employers willing to take on part completed trainees and pay their outstanding fees. One is now a director in a large company. Apprentices/ trainees are good and if managed properly are a massive positive contribution to a company for however long they stay.

 

[Keith 66]

If we want to understand why shipwrights earn less than car mechanics, we better look at ourselves. Any yard either building or repairing a boat needs to pay the overheads and make a profit. If you quote a price or a repair which would support car mechanic rates for the craftsmen, you won't get the job. Carry on doing that and your business folds. To support higher pay rates for our craftsmen, we need to be wiling to pay more for our boats to be cared for. It's as easy as that.
Peter.

Couldnt agree more! I grew up from an early age with my Dad building & fixing his own boats on the driveway. He had worked at Jack Holts when he finished his national service just after the war & got out of the trade as the money was poor. It was kind of inevitable that i went into it as well. I was lucky that i met a good lady who had a steady civil service job allowing the boatbuilder bum to keep going! Most of the guys i knew who stuck at it were in a similar position.
Its all very well earning low wages but karma doesnt pay the bills or the mortgage.
Before i retired i worked as a D&T technician in a secondary school, the practical subjects have been dumbed down to the point that they are not valued by the education system, too expensive in equipment & resources to provide when its cheaper to have rows of desks & computers.
Yet many kids & young people still want to make things & are creative. They are not being catered for.