RNLI apprenticeships grow as charity celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

The RNLI has offered apprenticeships for the last two decades, providing various apprenticeship opportunities in marine engineering, boat building, electrical, marketing, legal, and IT in Poole and on the Isle of Wight.

Last year, the RNLI became the first charity in England to offer apprenticeships with their legal team. This year, the RNLI continues to grow its apprenticeship scheme with the launch of the Coastal Maintenance apprenticeship in Perth, Scotland. At the end of this new four year apprenticeship with the RNLI, the apprentice will be qualified as a Systems Technician.

Vacancies for a variety of apprenticeships offered by the RNLI will go live during National Apprentice Week, which is also Scottish Apprenticeship Week, both beginning on 6 March.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week, the RNLI has organised a work shadowing scheme between RNLI apprentices and senior members of staff at the RNLI. The scheme will see apprentices teamed up with senior managers at the RNLI, where apprentices and senior managers will spend time shadowing each other, so both can gain an insight into the other’s role and what their day to day job looks like.

Lynne Mason, Apprenticeship Manager for the RNLI said: ‘We’re really excited for the job shadowing to take place, it is an excellent opportunity for apprentices and senior managers to see what life is like in each other’s shoes, and will give our apprentices some excellent experience outside of their role.

‘We’re really proud of our apprentices here at the RNLI, proud to have had such a successful scheme running for nearly two decades and proud to see it keep growing and providing even more opportunities for young people who are gaining the skills we need to help us save more lives at sea.’

Apprentices at the RNLI can start at different ages depending on the apprenticeship they’re applying for. Stirling Taylor, Apprentice Boatbuilder for the RNLI, said: ‘Every day of my apprenticeship is varied. Working here really feels like being part of a family, I feel really supported here.’

Notes to Editors

· Vacancies go live during National Apprenticeship Week 2017 and Scottish Apprenticeship Week, both beginning 6 March.

· This is the first time the RNLI has offered apprenticeships in Scotland

· The RNLI has offered apprenticeships for the last 20 years

· Additional RNLI apprentice case studies are available

· High res images available

Media Contacts

For more information, please contact Jennifer Clough, RNLI Press Officer, on 01202 336194 or 07393 763780 or by email at [email protected].

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.