BMF Training Awards 2009
Investing in training for a sustainable
future.
The British Marine Federation’s Training
Awards are designed to celebrate marine businesses and individuals
that demonstrate outstanding business and personal success through
investment in training. By raising awareness of this, the awards
hope to inspire others to invest in learning and development.
Prizes were awarded at the BMF AGM Conference
in Duxford to three nominated categories: Company Training Award,
for companies employing less than ten employees; Company Training
and Development Award; and the Trainee/ Apprentice of the year.
A trophy and £500 were presented to the winner
of each category by BMF President, Jon Eads with runners up
receiving a certificate.
Apprentice of the Year
Award
Scott Couch of Princess Yachts
International was awarded the Trainee/Apprentice of the year
Award.
Scott commenced his Carpenter/Boat Building
Apprenticeship in 2005. Determined to succeed, he was the first of
his group to complete his apprenticeship. Scott has achieved
recognition within Princess for his carpentry skills and his
apprenticeship log book serves as a model for other apprentices to
strive for.
Second place was awarded to Adam Mcdade,
of Cooney Marine International.
Adam started his Advanced Apprenticeship in
Engineering Manufacture in September 2007. Having been excluded
from school at the age of 13, with no prospect of a future or
career Adam took the opportunity to attend college part time. This
soon progressed to a full time apprenticeship, and Adam worked hard
to make success of the opportunity given to him. Adam has become a
competent welder and is the first of the welding apprentices to be
moved from an apprentice learning area within the factory into one
of the most complex welding productions areas of the company.
Third place was awarded to Lewis Benjamin
Pye of Windboats Marine Ltd who is currently a Marine Electrician
Apprentice.
Lewis has maintained a constant level of
productivity throughout the build, often solving problems and
queries akin to his seniors. His input into the general build has
been excellent and has maintained a high level quality and
workmanship throughout.
Company Learning and Development
Award
The Company Training and Development
Award, was won by Berthon Boat Company Ltd, who have been training
apprentices for over a hundred years.
The company trains apprentices in marine
engineering, marine electrical, composites and paining and ensures
the appropriate skills bases are maintained and developed for the
future. Fifty percent of its current workforce has completed an
apprenticeship. Berthon has strong links with its local schools and
colleges, which creates awareness of the career opportunities in
the marine industry. Recently Berthon also led an employer
application for Government funding of apprentices to encourage
other firms to participate in apprenticeship programmes.
Second place was awarded to Princess
Yachts International, for their One Company, One Team approach to
learning and development. Since 2007, Princess has developed a
bespoke Management Development Programme and Team Leader
Development Programme. The company currently has 65 apprentices. An
annual Achievement Award Ceremony celebrates the achievements of
individual learning and company development.
Third position was awarded to Boatshed.com
for their in house online training system. The programme was
developed to ensure that everyone representing Boatshed.com
anywhere in the world is qualified to Boatshed’s standards for
customer service, quality of photography, listings and
communications techniques. The online training has enabled boatshed
offices to expand by taking on new agents who can undergo training
via distance learning thereby saving time and costs to the business
and trainees.
Company Training Award
Bisham Abbey Sailing and Navigation School
Ltd, won the category, for their continuous commitment to
training, and ensuring that all their staff are fully up to date
with the latest developments in the boating industry.
Second Place was awarded to Ian Thomson’s
new business Nestaway boats. Ian who came from a marketing
career enrolled on a boat building course at the Boat Building
Academy in order to learn the skills to be able to build and
produce a new product for the marine industry. Ian demonstrated
remarkable adaptability and single mindedness to achieve his aim.
His business has now taken off and he is employing further
staff.
Third Place was awarded to Forbes Boat
Care for developing an employee and extending his business
capabilities.
Sarah Dhanda, Director of Training at the BMF
said: “On behalf of the British Marine Federation I would like to
congratulate all the winners and runners up of the Awards.
Their outstanding commitment to training is an asset to the
employers, trainees and the marine sector as a whole.
"I would also like to thank all those member
companies who submitted entries and to encourage many others to
take advantage of this opportunity next year."