Southampton International Boat Show celebrates apprentices and showcases marine careers

The Southampton International Boat Show was the epicentre of celebration yesterday (Tuesday 17 September), as the marine industry’s brightest young talents were honoured at the Apprentice Recognition Ceremony and the winner of the inaugural British Marine Apprentice of the Year Award was revealed.

Sixty-three apprentices from leading marine companies were recognised during the morning’s ceremony, before Anisha Roberts, who is in her 3rd year of the L3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Standard with Williams Jet Tenders, was crowned Apprentice of the Year.

“I am honoured to have won the inaugural British Marine ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award. This is an incredible opportunity, and I am deeply grateful for the support from the entire Williams Jet Tenders team, as well as my friends and family who have been instrumental in helping me reach this point. Being based in landlocked Oxfordshire, away from traditional boat-building hubs, Williams rely on training, upskilling, and nurturing local talent, so to help them to receive recognition for this is particularly special”, commented Anisha.

Anisha with British Marine CEO, Lesley Robinson

“Firstly congratulations to all our nominees, we had some outstanding entries which made it a very difficult decision for the judges. However, Anisha’s journey is truly inspirational, and she embodies the qualities of a role model and trailblazer”, commented Manj Mahey, Head of Training at British Marine.

“Her determination to pursue a new career in engineering while balancing family responsibilities is a testament to her resilience and passion. She has broken barriers and shown that age, gender, and personal circumstances are not obstacles but stepping stones to success. Anisha’s story will undoubtedly inspire many to chase their dreams, and we are incredibly proud to honour her as the first-ever Apprentice of the Year”, Manj added.

Jasmine Kundra, from BBC’s The Apprentice, who led the proceedings, also shared her insights on success, framed by the theme of ‘thinking differently’, alongside inspiring speeches from British Marine President Robert Parton and Able Seaman Angel Collar, who detailed her own apprenticeship journey.

“Recognising the achievements of this group of apprentices is a proud moment for the entire marine industry. Apprenticeships are a vital pipeline for future talent, and this award shines a spotlight on the exceptional dedication, skills, and promise shown by young professionals across the sector”, commented Robert Parton, President of British Marine.

The day continued with the highly anticipated Careers and Apprenticeship Evening, where some 50 career-seekers of all ages connected with leading marine industry companies and training providers. With 15 companies participating, including Berthon Boat Company, Oyster Yachts, Carnival, Tall Ships Youth Trust, Marine Transport Careers, Bournemouth and Poole College, The Marine Society and Sea Cadets, Brockenhurst College, South Hampshire College Group, and SeaRegs Training, Royal Navy, Warsash Maritime School, Rockley Watersports, RoboSys and CECA NextGen, attendees had the opportunity to receive guidance on their career paths and learn about apprenticeships and job openings.

Anna Jacob, Growth and Retention Executive for the Tall Ships Youth Trust, shared: “We’re here not only to engage with young people but also to connect with others in the marine industry. We all share a common goal – to help young people reach where they need and want to be. This has been a fantastic event. I’ve had the chance to speak with individuals about joining us for a fun voyage aboard one of our Tall Ships, as well as with those interested in apprenticeships, offering them an alternative to the traditional classroom route.”

Sixteen-year-old Leo from Southampton, one of the event’s attendees, shared his thoughts: “I’m studying IT, which is such a huge industry, and events like this really help you figure out which area you might want to focus on. It’s been incredibly helpful in guiding me toward something I’d like to pursue. I’m leaving with a lot of valuable information about my next steps after college and the types of jobs I want to explore.”

Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, added: “This year’s Apprentice Recognition Ceremony, our first ever Apprentice of the Year Award and the Careers Evening were all inspiring showcases of the exceptional talent and opportunities that exist within the marine sector.

“From the talent on display during the apprentice awards to the strong interest in our careers evening, it’s clear that the marine industry has an exciting and dynamic future ahead. We are committed to nurturing and supporting the next generation of marine professionals, and events like these are crucial for building those foundations.”

In addition to these events, the show also welcomed over 1,000 school children who participated in hands-on activities such as sailing and paddleboarding, explored cutting-edge exhibits from the University of Southampton, giving them firsthand experience of the marine industry’s innovation and career potential and some got to meet Captain Ted Funnel.