UK Shipyard Invests in Cornwall Apprentices

5 new apprentices have started work at A&P Falmouth shipyard, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to Cornwall (in the extreme Southwest of England) and the future of the dockyard there.

The apprentices beat off stiff competition from almost 70 applicants to be awarded the opportunity with A&P, one of the biggest commercial ship repair companies in the UK. They are electricians Dave Blizzard, aged 21, from Falmouth and Ben Casley, aged 23, from The Lizard; and marine fitters Jordan Moorhouse, aged 19, from Stithians; Daniel Warren, aged 18, from St Keverne and Jamie Pounder, aged 31, from Sennen. They will learn a range of specialist skills in marine mechanical and electrical engineering.

Jamie said: “Before I got this job I was bouncing from building site to building site, with no long-term prospects. Now, thanks to the apprenticeship, I have the chance of a career. I’ve always been interested in learning a trade so this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.”

Ben said: “Finding work these days as a young person is really difficult, so to have a secure job with full training is brilliant. I feel like I’ve got a future ahead of me now.”

Dave said: “We’ve all got stuck into working life and so far have had the chance to work on a range of ships including HMS Mersey, the Torpoint Ferry and the Commodore Clippers. We’re all settling in well at the yard and enjoying the camaraderie it offers.“

A&P Falmouth says it has invested heavily in training and apprenticeships since 1989 and 120 apprentices have been recruited in four main trade disciplines – marine engineering, electrical, steel fabrication/welding and pipe fabrication/fitting.