Lifesaving charity launches new apprenticeship in Cornwall

Coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week, the RNLI is launching its first apprenticeship opportunity in Cornwall, following the success of a similar apprenticeship launched in Scotland last year.

The RNLI has offered apprenticeships for the past two decades, providing various opportunities in marine engineering, marketing, legal and IT in Poole (Dorset), the Isle of Wight, and more recently in Perth (Scotland).

The new apprenticeship being offered in Cornwall is a four year Systems Technician Apprenticeship. The successful candidate will get to work on the RNLI’s large fleet of lifeboats, launch equipment and lifeboat support equipment which includes patrol vehicles, jet-skis and quad bikes. Although the apprenticeship is based in Saltash, it will also involve working away at lifeboat stations and other RNLI locations.

Helen McKinnon, RNLI Apprentice Systems Technician said, ‘I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship. I like that it is really varied and no day is the same.’

Lynne Mason, Apprenticeship Manager for the RNLI, said ‘After the launch of the apprenticeship in Scotland last year, we are looking forward to launching this exciting new role in Saltash which will be the first apprenticeships the RNLI has offered in this location. We’re really proud of our apprentices here at the RNLI, and we’re thrilled to be able to continue to grow our apprenticeship schemes to provide more opportunities for anyone starting out on their career, looking for a career change or returning to work.’

Notes for editors:

· Vacancies go live on rnli.org/vacancies during National Apprenticeship Week 2018, beginning 5^th March.

· The following RNLI apprentice case studies are available: Helen McKinnon (Systems Technician apprentice), Lauren Poole (RNLI Marketing Apprentice), Joe Fulcher (RNLI IT apprentice) and Ashley Day (former RNLI IT apprentice who progressed to a role on the charity's IT Service Desk), and Laura Croxson (former RNLI Marketing apprentice who recently completed her apprenticeship and progressed to become a RNLI Marketing Executive).

Media Contacts

For more information, please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [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.