Telwater ramps up 2020 apprenticeship program
Australia’s largest plate boat manufacturer still aims to run its apprenticeship program this yearTelwater, Australia’s largest plate boat manufacturer, has strengthened its ties with Gold Coast TAFE as it ramps up its apprenticeship program despite the coronavirus pandemic.
The Gold Coast-based company, which builds brands including Quintrex, Savage, Stacer and Yellowfin Plate, still plans to take on a new team of apprentices this year that will attend specialist boat-building classes at TAFE.
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Telwater also builds its own boat trailers and represents outboard engine brand Evinrude in Australia. As many as six apprentices are expected to join the company this year.
“We usually take two or so school-based apprentices one day a week while the apprentice is still going through their final years of high school,” small and plate boat factory manager Mark Stambera said.
“We provide regular reports to the school and keep in communication throughout the apprenticeship to offer the student a high level of support.
“In addition to our school-based apprentices, we also take on about four full-time apprentices,” he said.
“Initially there is a trial period where we assess their skills and commitment, then we offer them ongoing apprenticeships.”
Wider roles
Depending on how they progress, the apprentices can take on wider and more varied roles in the Coomera-based factory, including moving into the more specialist large and plate boat manufacturing.
Apprentices start in a training room learning basic skills with a specialist apprenticeship supervisor, before moving into the small boat factory.
The apprentices can enter Telwater’s program either through school or via specialist TAFE courses, with the relationship ma two-way street – the boat-maker offers factory tours for TAFE groups that can benefit from seeing how various parts of the businesses work.
“Telwater has partnered with Gold Coast TAFE for a number of years to provide quality training to our apprentices,” Telwater apprentice manager David Marsh said.
“Gold Coast TAFE provides a flexible learning timetable that allows apprentices to attend TAFE with minimal impact to Telwater’s operations.”
Apprentices who graduate from the program are offered a position at Telwater and their Certificate III in metal fabrication.
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