First Shipwrights Lectures attract a full house audience from Apprentices to Admirals
Apprentices, students and young shipwrights were inspired, motivated and enlightened about the world of opportunities open to them in both the British and Global marine industry, at the first in a series of Shipwright’s Lectures, held in one of the world’s leading maritime cities.
The Turner Sims lecture theatre at the University of Southampton saw a packed audience for the lecture held in October. The event drew over 120 apprentices, from all over the UK, together with 100 graduates, university and college students aspiring to careers in the marine sector. They heard introductions and welcome addresses from leading industry figures, including Admiral Sir Jock Slater and closing remarks from Sir John Parker, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering and himself a former apprentice.
The event attracted attendees from the UK’s largest marine companies with boat builders Sunseeker, Pendennis, Princess, SYS, and Discovery Yachts, as well as specialist engineering companies such as Halyard, through to organisations including the RNLI and National Waterways Museum.
The designers of Ellen MacArthur’s round the world yacht Kingfisher, father and son team Rob and Tom Humphreys presented the first lecture, which gave a fascinating insight into the past, present and future of yacht design and technology.
The second lecture treated the audience to a rare insight into the future of engine technology from Volvo Penta Ian Benning, Sales Director of marine engines at Volvo Penta UK.
The Shipwrights Lectures, have been organised by The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, which was formed in 1387 as a Trade Guild for shipwrights working on the London River. A number of its current members work and employ young people in the marine leisure sector. Organisation of the first Shipwrights Lecture was headed by Michael Derrick, a Shipwright and well known industry expert, in conjunction with the University of Southampton, with support from individuals and organisations including Halyard Marine, Discovery Yachts. British Marine Federation and Brockenhurst College, whose students filmed the event.
For further information on the Shipwrights Lectures please contact Michael Derrick on: 01590 675 264
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