Riviera is celebrating the success of the company’s apprentice training program with the announcement of winners of the 2017 Apprentice of the Year Awards.
Australia’s world-class luxury motor yacht builder works with Queensland TAFE to train 74 apprentices including school-based, young and mature-aged apprentices.
From this team, Riviera training manager Adam Houlahan and his staff utilised strict criteria to select four outstanding candidates as Apprentice of the Year for 2017, one in each training year.
“We interview each apprentice’s direct supervisor, seeking information about attitude, skills and their contribution to the team,” said Adam. “We also check their work attendance record.
“The candidates’ involvement in our Propel program is also vital in judging. Propel is program of monthly sessions in which we teach life skills the apprentices would not learn in their day-to-day work. These include personality assessment, leadership, managing and communicating up the line as well as down. We also cover goal setting and how to handle their finances such as credit cards and opening bank accounts.
“Our mission is to help build great people – taking them from skilled to excellent.”
Fourth-year marine craft construction apprentice Nathaniel D’Ambrosia said: “I have always loved boats and wanted to learn more about how they work.”
Nathaniel worked for a time on the development of the new Riviera 395 SUV and recently moved to work in motor yacht fitout.
“This is the major part of a build when the deck, hardtop or flybridge and windscreen all come together – where the motor yacht is actually built,” he said.
Nathaniel has now completed his apprenticeship and is a qualified boat builder looking forward to expanding his career with Riviera.
Third Year Electrical Apprentice Jack Gleadhill is excited that his course will result in a full electrician qualification.
“We work on the entire wiring of the motor yachts,” he said.
“I am impressed that Riviera pays us while we study.”
Jayden Lee has completed his second year as an Engineering Apprentice and says he chose engineering because it exposes him to the full range of motor yachts and to the entire process of the build.
“Our work begins from the time a hull comes from the mould through to sea trials,” he said.
Jayden particularly enjoys the Propel program
“Our leaders pass on so much of the knowledge they have gained over many years,” he said. “We also learn how to best manage our skills.”
First Year Timber and Composites Machining Apprentice Joel Neucom loves the creativity in his work.
“I love hands-on work and started at Riviera in cabinet-making,” he said. “I now work in timber machining. We begin with rough-sawn timbers and create door jambs and many of the major joinery elements on board a Riviera. I particularly enjoy working on the finer details of a piece of joinery.”
Riviera Apprentice of the Year winners
Nathaniel ‘DAmbrosio – 4th Year Marine Craft Construction
Jack Gleadhill – 3rd Year Electrical
Jayden Lee – 2nd Year Engineering
Joel Neucom – 1st Year Timber and Composites Machining
Riviera Apprentice of the Year nominees
Kyle Shadwell – 1st Year Electrical
Bailey Sivyer – 1st Year Marine Craft Construction
Jayden Lee – 2nd Year Engineering
Emma King – 2nd Year Marine Craft Construction
Nick Moxey – 3rd Year Engineering
Ned Stevenson – School Based Engineering
Tiana Dianchenko – School Based Cabinetmaking