Boatbuilding, Vessel Refit and Repair Apprenticeship Level 3
Boatbuilding, Vessel Refit, and Repair apprentices work on building, refitting, or repairing boats such as workboats, motorboats, yachts, and superyachts. These vessels may be constructed from composites, metals, or wood, so apprentices develop skills working with a wide variety of materials, including GRP, understanding their properties and capabilities.
Apprentices learn to read and interpret engineering and technical drawings to produce moulds, jigs, plugs, and templates for creating complex shapes. They use a range of measuring equipment, machines, and hand tools to manufacture, assemble, and repair structural components, as well as complete interior and exterior fit-outs.
Training covers manufacturing techniques for new boats and repair methods for existing vessels. Apprentices also learn to apply surface finishes such as varnishes, paints, and gel coats, along with how to select, use, and store materials and consumables safely and efficiently.
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, apprentices become multi-skilled, able to adapt to evolving industry demands as boats grow more complex and new materials and methods emerge. In their daily work, they collaborate closely with related trades such as marine engineers and marine electricians.
This Level 3 apprenticeship runs for four years. Apprentices attend College one day per week, spending the rest of the working week in the workplace for a minimum of 30 hours. While prospective apprentices are encouraged to seek out employers offering apprenticeship vacancies, the College can provide support to help find a suitable placement.
Please note, to complete an apprenticeship with us, you must secure an employer vacancy. If you do not have an employer, the following links may assist you in your search:
South Devon College – Apprenticeship Vacancies
GOV.UK – Find an Apprenticeship
South Devon College is committed to supporting all interested students by offering careers guidance, CV writing assistance, and interview preparation to help with your apprenticeship search.

Course Details
- You will be required to have achieved Maths at Level 2
- You will be required to have achieved English at Level 2
- You should have a genuine interest in this subject
How to develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, customers, suppliers and technical support staff
The importance of maintaining health and safety at work, ensuring a safe working environment including control of substances
Identify defects, provide correct solutions for rectification and carry out repair work to different materials including GRP
How to select appropriate methods to produce, prepare, use, maintain and store plugs, moulds, jigs and templates
Conducting functional tests and visual and quality checks to the required standards
The use of composite manufacture for marine construction
The production of internal and external boat components
Apply surface finishing methods and techniques such as polishing
A Level 3 Boatbuilder apprenticeship lasts for four years. During this apprenticeship programme the apprentice will learn about boat production, boat maintenance and the repair of boats, all under the support and guidance of the employer and the College. Apprentices will attend the College for one day per week, with the remaining working week spent in the workplace, for a minimum of 30 hours. As the apprentice’s career develops there are opportunities for progression to higher level qualifications including degree level.
Course Applications
Please choose your preferred study option below (subject to change).
This course costs: £0.00
If the amount shown is more than £0.00 and you are aged 19 and over at the start of the course, you may have options to help fund your studies with us. The funding you can receive depends on your personal circumstances, and could mean you are entitled to fully subsidised or reduced tuition fees.
Many of our courses are fully funded for 16-18 year olds however not all courses are available for this age group.
You may also be entitled to support with travel, childcare and equipment.
To find out exactly what you could receive, contact our Helpzone team on 08000 380 123 for a free, impartial appointment, with no commitment necessary.
I chose South Devon College because of its brilliant reputation and chose this course because of the work experience opportunities it offered. It's great because we put the theory we learn into practise by working at large scale events such as music festivals, exhibitions and award ceremonies. My ambition is to work in this industry and I feel fully prepared for that having studied this course.Sam Palmer