Riviera, Australia’s leading luxury motor yacht manufacturer, is expanding its workforce with the announcement of dozens of new apprenticeship positions.
The Gold Coast-based company is seeking approximately 90 apprentices to join its team of 950 employees, as announced in a media release.
The available positions include 40 school-based apprentices, 20 full-time apprentices, and 30 general hands and trade positions.
The apprenticeships span 10 different trades: Marine Craft Construction, Composites, Cabinetmaking, Engineering Fabrication, Diesel Fitting, Fabrication Trade Welding, Electrical, Timber Composites Machining, French Polishing, and Upholstery.
Riviera is also making a concerted effort to attract more women into the boat-building industry.
“We had a record intake of females in January this year – 12 – so we’re hoping to grow on that success again in 2025,” said Keira Badke, Riviera’s Apprentice & Training Manager.
“Historically, boat building has been seen to be a male-dominated industry but with the broad range of apprenticeships we now offer, that has very much changed.”
Badke highlighted that a career in boat building with Riviera could lead to opportunities around the globe, noting that the company exports around 60 per cent of its annual production and operates a base in Florida, USA.
“At Riviera though, it’s not just about training the best boat builders, but helping to create the best people,” she added.
Riviera said it is committed to supporting local talent, with around 150 apprentices in training at any given time.
Over the past 30 years, approximately 400 tradespeople have qualified through Riviera, many of whom have advanced to key management roles within the company.
In January, Riviera launched its ‘state-of-the-art’ Academy of Excellence on-site, where apprentices receive training in life skills alongside their technical education.
Rodney Longhurst, Riviera’s owner, expressed pride in the company’s apprenticeship program.
“I’m exceptionally proud to be helping mentor our talented apprentices and giving them such a great opportunity – it’s immensely rewarding for me, personally, to see our apprentices develop into such accomplished mature adults, with world leading skills,” Longhurst said.
He added, “Our significant investment in our Academy reflects our investment in all our 950 strong team.”’
