Job title: Sunseeker Boat Builder (August 2026 Intake)
Salary: £12.71 per hour on employment, rising to £14.42 per hour after 6 months
Employment type: 24 month fixed term training contract. Sunseeker aims to offer all trainees a permanent contract upon successful completion of training
Training course hours: 7:30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, for 10 full weeks, at the start of your employment
Working hours: 7:00am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday, plus optional overtime, upon completion of the 10 week training course
Working location: Sunseeker Shipyards, New Quay Road, Poole, BH15 1AB
Training location: Bournemouth and Poole College, Ashley Cross Campus, North Road, Poole, BH14 0LS
About Sunseeker International
Sunseeker was founded on a bold vision: to create a new kind of yacht and redefine what was possible on the water. From our earliest designs in 1967, we’ve pushed boundaries and reshaped the motor yacht industry through innovation, craftsmanship and relentless ambition.
At the heart of every Sunseeker lies a legacy of expert hands and meticulous attention to detail, skills refined and passed down through generations. These are the qualities that set our yachts apart - and the qualities that continue to drive our craft today.
In a world increasingly defined by automation, we remain committed to building handcrafted, handfinished boats. With over 1,800 talented team members across our busy shipyards - from longserving specialists to more than 180 apprentices - our Sunseeker workforce reflects the strength, diversity and pride of our local community. It’s this blend of heritage, skill and passion that makes our shipyards unlike any other place in the world.
Role overview:
A career with Sunseeker is a career that offers more. You’ll gain valuable new skills, build friendships that last a lifetime, and experience a real sense of pride every time a yacht sets sail for its new owner.
As a Sunseeker Boat Builder, you’ll play a key role in the manufacturing of world-class yachts, working across five core trades: Composites, Carpentry, Engineering, Electrical and Plumbing.
No previous experience is required - we’ll provide all the training and support you need to succeed. You’ll develop your knowledge and skills within our dedicated Boat Building Training Academy here in Poole, setting you on the path to becoming a valued member of a skilled yacht build team.
Training overview:
Our 24-month training programme begins with a full-time, 10-week workshop-based course at Bournemouth & Poole College (North Road, Poole, BH14 0LS).
In a safe and supportive training environment, you’ll work alongside your fellow trainees to develop hands-on practical skills, alongside the theory needed to build your confidence and competence in boat building. During this time, you will gain foundational experience in carpentry, electrical installation, engineering, plumbing and marine composites.
We’ll also equip you with the knowledge and behaviours needed to work both effectively and safely within a busy manufacturing environment.
Your development doesn’t stop there. After completing the initial 10-week course, you’ll move into the workplace, where you’ll continue building your skills alongside some of the most experienced tradespeople in the marine industry. Over the following nine months, you’ll record evidence of your progress as you work towards your final assessment at the end of your first year.
Upon successful completion, you’ll achieve a nationally recognised Level 2 Lean Manufacturing qualification - and take the first step into a long-term career in the marine sector.
This is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to start a new career or change direction. No prior experience is required.
Typical duties include:
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Place construction setup equipment in the boat such as lighting, extraction and other safety interventions
- Join yacht components using composite bonding methods
- Install shelving to hull structures
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Lay bulkheads to hull structures
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Build wooden carcasses into hull layouts
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Install cabin structures such as; structural flooring, ceiling structures and panels
- Fit window bands to interior windows
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Cut bulkhead penetrations from markings
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Install cable containment systems through the boat
- Run and label main cable looms through the boat
- Cut composite materials for through-hull fittings, from markings
- Install distribution/white boards into engine room spaces
- Cut and prepare hard and flexible pipes
- Run straight and pre bent pipes through the boat
- Act as a team member in respect of lifting operations
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Maintain workplace cleanliness and organisation & install boat finish protection systems
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Support skilled trades with any other reasonable boat building tasks
What you’ll need to apply;
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Grades. We’re more interested in your positive, can-do attitude and commitment to learning a construction trade than your grades or prior qualifications. As part of the interview process, you’ll simply complete a basic Maths and English assessment. If you need additional support in these areas, we’ll provide extra tuition to help you develop.
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You’ll need to be available to start employment on 17th August 2026, with no planned holiday or other absences during the first 10 weeks of the programme.
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The ambition to work in a fast paced yacht construction environment (note: this role is not based on the water)
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We’d also like to see examples of your interest in construction or manufacturing. This could include relevant work experience, hands-on projects, or personal interests and hobbies that demonstrate your enthusiasm for this type of work.
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A career history that demonstrates commitment to your previous employers.
- Those that already hold an engineering qualification at level 2 or higher (such as an engineering based apprenticeship or a degree in engineering, are not eligible for this programme. Please take a look at our regular roles here; Sunseeker | Careers at Sunseeker)
What will you get in return;
On completion of the 24-month training programme, you will have developed skills across five key construction and engineering trades, along with a strong understanding of how a luxury motor yacht is built from start to finish.
You’ll achieve a nationally recognised Level 2 qualification, giving you a solid foundation to build a long-term career in the marine industry.
We’ll support you every step of the way, including providing a fully funded tool kit - complete with your own power tools - as well as a comprehensive benefits package. This includes holiday pay, sick pay, overtime opportunities, a safe and supportive working environment, life assurance, regular performance reviews, and full pay throughout your training, with salary increases at weeks 12 and 26.
Notes:
Key dates for assessment and interview processes are;
Interview Days: 30th July 2026
Training start date: 17th August 2026
