Fairline Boats has become the latest manufacturer to embrace the trend towards marine apprenticeships by restarting its programme.

Following discussions with the British Marine Federation and the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, Fairline has announced that it plans to hire 22 students from Tresham College for the upcoming academic year to undertake a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Engineering.

This marks the first time since 2008 that Fairline Boats has hired apprentices to work on its range of motoryachts.

Stefan Whitmarsh, head of engineering at Fairline Boats, said: “We are excited to be working with the apprentices from Tresham College. It’s a unique opportunity for the students to learn a wide variety of trades and specifically, boat building.”

Apprenticeships are becoming increasingly popular among boatbuilders, with Princess and Sunseeker both taking on several apprentices per year.

Paul Harris from the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights added that the addition of Fairline Boats to the scheme will help to open doors for more local businesses and young people in the Midlands.