The Riviera Academy of Excellence is a 680 square metre state-of-the-art facility comprising of two fully operational workshops, two learning hubs including a dedicated drafting room, offices and meeting room.
Riviera has been awarded the gold Australian Apprenticeships Employer Award.
From the left: The Hon Andrew Giles MP – Minister for Skills and Training, presents Riviera’s Keira Badke and Darren Kearns with the prestigious gold Australian Apprenticeships Employer Award.
These peak national training awards, announced at the Darwin Convention Centre in December, are an Australian Government initiative recognising best practice in vocational education and training (VET).
The Australian Apprenticeships Employer Award recognises those employers who have made innovative improvements in training which provide beneficial outcomes for their apprentices and/or trainees in Australia and to their local community.
In presenting this award, the Hon Andrew Giles MP – Minister for Skills and Training said, “Your achievement reflects a strong commitment to creating genuine career opportunities and ensuring apprentices receive the best skills and experience needed to succeed.
“Your investment in training through the Riviera Academy of Excellence demonstrates a clear commitment to developing skilled professionals and shaping the future of marine manufacturing.
“Thank you for your outstanding contribution to the VET sector. Together, we can ensure Australia remains a global leader in skills and innovation, driving prosperity for generations to come. Congratulations on this significant and well-deserved achievement.”
Riviera Australia Apprentice and Training Manager Keira Badke, who accepted the award on behalf of the company, said of its 950-strong team, around 110 were apprentices growing their skills across a range of disciplines.
Central to Riviera’s success is its Riviera Academy of Excellence, a purpose-built, 680-square-metre training facility that integrates classroom learning directly with live production experience.
“Our apprentices train alongside experienced mentors in a real-world environment, ensuring their skills are developed to the highest industry standards,” Keira Badke said.
“Riviera’s long established Propel in Excellence Program, consisting of up to 40 modules and now in its 20th year, further supports apprentice development through subject areas including leadership training, communication skills, financial literacy and personal growth.
“Strong partnerships with Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s), including Major Training Group, TAFE Queensland and PARTEC, enables Riviera to deliver industry-relevant, onsite training across multiple disciplines.”
From the left: Justin Leigh-Smith and Darren Kearns – Riviera Academy of Excellence Instructors, Keira Badke – Riviera Apprentice and Training Manager and Rodney Longhurst proudly showcase the Australian Apprenticeships Employer Award.
Beyond its formal industry partnerships and training, Riviera also collaborates with more than 100 high schools across Southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales to offer school-based apprenticeships.
Riviera promotes marine apprenticeships and career opportunities to students and their families through guided site tours and participation in regional career expos and supports mature-age apprentices and individuals in re-entering the workforce.
Riviera Australia Owner Rodney Longhurst said he was committed to investing in apprentices who represented the future of the company.
“We are building world-class motor yachts, and to do this we must have a world-class team,” he said.
“Everyone we have here today at Riviera who is outstanding, learned their trade from being mentored, trained or nurtured by someone who was excellent or passionate about being good at their trade. We endeavour to create this same empowering environment.
“It’s phenomenal for our team to be recognised in this way. This award is further validation that all of their great efforts are making a real difference,” he said.
Riviera Australia is the most awarded luxury motor yacht manufacturer in Australia winning among many other awards, the World Boat Builder Award for Best Apprenticeship or Training Scheme in 2022 and 2024; Queensland Training Award for Large Employer – Southeast Region in 2023 and 2024; Queensland Large Employer of the Year in 2024: Australian Training Awards for Large Employer – Bronze 2024.
Riviera offers apprenticeships in a wide choice of trade disciplines, including:
UEE30811 Certificate III in Electrotechnology
MSF30722 Certificate III in Upholstery
MSF30322 Certificate III in Cabinetmaking & Timber Technology
MEM30719 Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction
MEM30419 Certificate III in Engineering – Fixed & Mobile Plant Mechanic
PMB30121 Certificate III in Polymer Processing (Composites)
MEM30122 Certificate III in Furniture Finishing – French Polishing
MEM30319 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade – Boiler Maker/Welder
MEM30319 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (Surface Finishing)
Since its establishment in 1980, Riviera has launched more than 6,200 luxury motor yachts which can now be seen cruising the great waterways of the world and has helped develop the careers of hundreds of apprentices, from its state-of-the-art 16.8ha facility on Australia’s Gold Coast.
For more information, visit www.rivieraaustralia.com
