Riviera, Australian luxury motor yacht builder, is celebrating the achievements of 10 young apprentices who recently graduated from their four-year apprenticeships and the company’s exclusive Propel training program.
Since 1993, Riviera has helped develop hundreds of marine industry master craftspeople through its acclaimed Academy of Excellence apprentice training and Propel programs.
Propel is a specially created four-year program that runs in parallel with Riviera’s vocational apprentice training and is designed to enhance the personal development of all apprentices. It aims to equip them with a range of life skills beyond their technical training, focusing on leadership, communication, relationship building and personal finance.
The program is led by senior trainers, including Riviera Australia owner Rodney Longhurst.
The graduation dinner and celebrations were held at the newly opened Riviera Yacht Club on the waterfront of the company’s 16.8-hectare facility at Coomera on Queensland’s Gold Coast. The private yacht club, which offers a stunning view over the marina and a spectacular array of new Riviera yachts being prepared for commissioning, has been created as a welcoming, inspirational educational centre exclusively for Riviera owners.
Rodney Longhurst addressed the graduating apprentices: “We have given you the opportunity to shine and advance. It has been up to you grasp this opportunity. And you have done just that.
“I’ve watched you learn and grow to become not only outstanding individuals, but exceptional tradespeople. You have completed the first chapter of your careers. Your second chapter begins and now you can continue to create an amazing future for yourselves.”
Riviera’s Apprentice and Training Manager Keira Bradke also addressed the apprentices: “Tonight’s celebration is a testament to your hard work, and your unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Connor Baruksopulo is in the final year of a timber machinist apprenticeship. He said he felt “guarded” when he began work at Riviera.
“The Propel program has helped me boost my self-confidence,” he said. “My experience has been character-building and valuable in broadening my skills and knowledge.
“Rodney Longhurst was able to give us examples from his own life about the careful use of money and how to develop a routine to put a bit aside every week.
“I plan to become a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) timber operator, then to gain new skills in programming the automated cutting machines so that one day I can step up to a leadership role.”
Luke Burgess began his career with Riviera as a school-base apprentice.
“I have always been around boats,” he said. “It seemed a natural progression to an apprenticeship in marine craft construction. I thought I would spend the first few months of my training watching the senior people, but I was working ‘on the tools’ from the beginning. It was very exciting.
“Like a lot of young people, I was shy at the beginning. Propel has taught me to be comfortable in communicating and how to handle difficult conversations that do arise in the workplace.
“I would like to travel with the company; perhaps work at Riviera’s American operations and then complete a diploma of management.”
Timber machinist Harry Tonks was introduced to opportunities at Riviera through a friend’s father.
“The graduation dinner was wonderful night,” he said.
“The Propel classes have been really interesting,” he said. “Rodney Longhurst was great in sharing his knowledge and teaching us how to come up with solutions to difficult problems.
“I am now much more confident in talking with people and look forward to learning programming of the timber CNC system.”
Connor Edwards learned about the opportunities at Riviera through an information presentation while he was at school.
“The Propel program has helped me enormously with financial budgeting and investing,” he said.
“We also learned about the skills involved in resolving personal and technical disagreements that sometimes occur on the factory floor.
“I would really like to work with the New Product Introduction team, expanding my skills beyond marine craft construction into engineering and electrical.”
Senior Riviera instructor Justin Leigh-Smith said: “Propel is important not simply to help you be great in your chosen trade but great in life, helping you to grow and take charge of your future. The program offers you the life skills to go alongside your trade skills. You have tackled some big topics such as people skills; knowing when to speak up, when to listen and how to handle those tough conversations. Realising your mindset shapes your journey; learning to stay the path when things don’t go to plan.
“These lessons are so important in life, because when no one is watching, you have the ability to decide exactly what kind of person you are going to become.”
