I read on your Facebook page some information on Beau and your Apprentice Program. What a wonderful initiative and great news that you are able to offer young kids a good start in a satisfying career.

I think governments have come to realise how well apprenticeship employment and training really works, that it is valid for the 21st century and not everybody has to have a university degree.

The on the job mentoring that comes with this type of employment is particularly relevant, perhaps more so these days.

I have been in commercial boat bulding for over 50 years. When I left school, I started work at Brown Bros. Balmain, worked at Stannards, Berrys Bay and a couple of Sydney consultants, John Boulton and Phil Hercus.

I ended up in Cairns at NQEA for 20 years and became business development manager. Then had nine years sales and marketing in Singapore and The Netherlands working for the large Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards. I say all this to emphasise that boat building with its mix of traditional and advance manufacturing skills is a very rewarding career.

I wish we saw more published in the media on companies such as yours. You have a good team up there and build great boats.

Paul Harrison,
Nelson Bay