As Famouth Marine School celebrates its 50th year of teaching boat building, will there be anywhere for its graduates to go?
Even through the international boat building industry is still having a tough time of it, with Genmar Holdings recent bankruptcy and the Brunswick Boat Group recently cutting over a 1,000 jobs, it hasn’t stopped the appeal of training to be a boat builder.
The world renowned Falmouth Marine School in Cornwall is gearing up to celebrate its 50th year of teaching boot building, with increasing numbers of students still keen to learn all about the marine industry. The school has evolved into one of the most respected boat building schools, having started out as a classical school in 1825 and becoming a technical college in the 50s to encourage potential new boat builders after the Second World War.
Dave Linnell OBE, Principal of Cornwall College commented, “Falmouth Marine School has an international reputation and a long history of providing boat building courses. The practical experience that students obtain is hard to match and furnishes them with important skills for their future employment in the marine industry.”
Alumni from the school have found careers with some of the biggest names in local, national and international boat building, having gained valuable skills in both traditional and modern techniques. The students learn all about artisan wood techniques alongside how to utilise the latest composite materials.
The curious among you can even watch the building projects for yourself, as the school has a webcam in its restoration and repair workshop, giving you a close-up view of the boat building stars of tomorrow. Let’s just hope there are jobs for them when they graduate.