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Boat builder

shipbuilder marine craftsperson
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Engineering
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Career outlook for boat builder

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£16,000

Experienced

£35,000

Currently employed in Scotland

1,300

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would do repairs and maintenance on boats and ships to keep them safe and seaworthy. You’d work on re-fitting and converting vessels. You could also be involved in building new boats and ships.

You could be involved in anything from building hulls for sea-going vessels to restoring the fixtures and fittings on traditional canal narrowboats. You’d learn traditional boatbuilding skills as well as modern engineering methods.

You would use all sorts of skills such as:

  • Carpentry
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Welding
  • Painting

You’d also use more traditional maritime craft skills like rigging and sail making. You would work with materials ranging from wood and steel plate, to glass- or fibre-reinforced plastics.

If you work on smaller marine craft, you would:

  • Mark out construction materials using engineering design templates
  • Weld, cut and shape parts or sections
  • Assemble boat sections and pipework
  • Install engines
  • ‘Fit out' the vessel with furnishings, navigation and communications equipment, heating and lighting and, if required, rigging

In a dockyard or shipyard, you would be more likely to work on larger ships, tankers, and oil and gas platforms for offshore sites.

Working conditions

Hours

You would work between 37 and 40 hours a week. Urgent repair work may mean you have to work weekends or shifts, including nights.

Environment

Some shipbuilding and boat-building can be done under cover in large indoor sheds, but most of the work would be outside in all weathers. Your working conditions could be cramped and dirty at times, and some jobs may involve working at heights.

UK employment status

Full-time

76%

Part-time

10%

Self employed

14%

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  • Verbal communication
  • Creative
  • Designing
  • Working with numbers
  • Observation
  • Attention to detail
  • Developing a plan
  • Implementing ideas
  • Managing resources
  • Time management

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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

You would need an Modern Apprenticeship leading to a relevant Scottish Vocational Qualifications in a Construction or Engineering Construction subject such as:

  • Carpentry & joinery
  • Electrical work
  • Plumbing
  • Welding (SVQ level 2/3).  

Some employers may ask for qualifications at SCQF level 4/5 to enter an apprenticeship. You will have to pass an entrance test as part of the interview process.

Useful subjects

  • Maths (required by many courses and employers)
  • Science subjects (required by many courses and employers) 
  • English
  • Technologies subjects such as engineering science

Helpful to have

Qualifications and experience that show understanding of the industry and craft skills such as:

  • Skills for Work Construction Crafts (SCQF level 4/5)
  • Engineering Skills (SCFQ level 4)
  • Maritime Skills (SCFQ level 5)