Riviera attracts record interest in apprenticeship opportunities for 2022

Riviera safety and training manager Adam Houlahan welcomes 330 students, parents, teachers, industry liaison officers and employment service providers to the Riviera facility © Riviera Australia

Riviera, Australia's luxury motor yacht builder, hosted a record 330 people to an information evening and site tour of its state-of-the-art Gold Coast facility as part of the company's apprenticeship recruitment drive for 2022.

The site tour, held annually by Riviera in collaboration with local schools and employment service providers, was attended by students, parents, teachers and industry liaison officers who were advised of the many marine industry career opportunities currently available at Riviera.

Riviera has significantly expanded its boatbuilding team over the past year by 30 per cent to more than 800 working on site.

This growth has been led by the global demand for Riviera motor yachts across the company's 23-model range from 39 to 78 feet.

Riviera has added two new trades to its program for 2022, namely boilermaking and furniture finishing (French polishing), to take the total of trades available from seven to nine. Riviera also offers apprenticeships in polymer processing, marine craft construction, diesel fitting, cabinetmaking, timber and composites machining, upholstery and electrotechnology.

"We are looking to bring on apprentices across all the trades required to create luxury Riviera motor yachts, so we're thrilled with the response to this year's site tour," said Riviera's Safety and Training Manager Adam Houlahan.

"The level of inquiry for apprenticeship positions has been the strongest ever experienced by our team, and we hope to provide as much information as they need to make such an important decision.

"Riviera offers a highly awarded and respected training program for people seeking a career in the marine industry. With the growth of our team over the past year and the new opportunities we have available, we are looking forward to welcoming another significant number of apprentices to Riviera in 2022."

Mitchell Ney, a student at Park Ridge High School south of Brisbane, was among the many first-time visitors to Riviera's boatbuilding facility as part of the site tour. He was accompanied by his father Mark.

"It was an incredible place; Dad and I were blown away by the size of it all," said Mitchell. "The detail going into building a boat is what struck me. It's amazing how it all happens."

Mitchell began considering a career at Riviera after talking to friends at his school. A number of new Riviera apprentices have come from the company partnering with Park Ridge High School.

Mitchell plans to apply for a marine craft construction apprenticeship at Riviera.

"I've been very interested in working for Riviera for some time and marine craft construction really caught my eye," he said. "I like the variety the work offers and the idea of working on so many different models."

Riviera's apprenticeship program includes participation in the company's Propel program, which educates apprentices in key life skills such as money management, personal relationships, workplace communication and leadership training.

Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst and CEO Wes Moxey are active presenters in the Propel program which plays a key role in the success of the company's award-winning apprenticeship program. Many of Riviera's senior managers commenced as apprentices in the program and have advanced their careers with the company through the education received from Propel.

"Ensuring the personal development of our apprentices is just as important as providing the technical skills they require to create world-class motor yachts," said Mr Longhurst.

"Over the past 30 years, we're proud to have trained hundreds of master-craftspeople, many of whom are still working with Riviera today.

"Our apprenticeship program each year creates a new generation of boatbuilders with a dedication and passion that drives our culture of excellence, so widely respected by Riviera motor yacht owners around the world."