Courses

All of our courses are highly practical; students spend less that 10% of their time in the classroom, more than 90% of their time in the workshop. People gain the skills and knowledge that only hands-on experience can bring.

All courses work full-time, five days per week from 0830 to 1730. Each course has at least one dedicated Instructor, with a minimum of 40 hours per week contact time. Workshops are also open at evenings and weekends, subject to health and safety requirements being met. While people are at the Academy we want them to make the most of our facilities and expertise.

Because we are a small organisation we can adapt courses for individual students, depending on their interests and training needs.

Long Course – Level 3 diploma

The flagship, internationally recognised 40 week course in Boat Building, Maintenance and Support incorporating City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Marine Construction, Systems Engineering and Maintenance (2463-03). The course content is much wider than required by City & Guilds, which is reflected by the additional award of a Boat Building Academy certificate.

The course teaches students to build boats to professional standards across a range of construction types from modern and traditional wood to composites. Some students are offered the opportunity to build their own boats as part of the course. The course also covers restoration and repair. You do not have to want to work in the marine industry in order to join the course, but we teach to industry standards. Suitable for beginners as well as the more experienced. All students are automatically entered for the City & Guilds Diploma, but can opt out if the qualification is not relevant to their reason for joining the course.

More information on the ‘long’ course

Woodworking Skills inc Furniture Design and Making – Level 1 Certificate, Level 3 Diploma

An intensive and highly practical 12 week course suitable for complete beginners. The course has nothing to do with boats but is based on our tried and tested boat building training philosophy. In addition to learning hand skills, students also design and make a piece of furniture under expert supervision.

Students take a City & Guilds 6218 Level 1 Certificate in Basic Construction Skills, before deciding whether to undertake the Level 3 qualification or to concentrate on their personal project piece.

More information on the Woodworking Skills Course

Short Courses

Two to five day courses in specific aspects of boat building, woodworking and related skills. The short courses are suitable for complete beginners, people wishing to add or hone a particular skill and people who just want to spend a few days by the sea learning something practical. People can build a more extensive training programme by joining a series of short courses. If you are learning the skills with a personal project in mind do let us know in advance, it is also sometimes possible to bring your boat with you to work on as part of the course. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to discuss which course best meets your needs.