A boat built by the team from CJ Broom & Sons at Brundall is put through its paces.

Boatbuilder

Answers supplied by Frederick Dale, production manager at C J Broom & Sons Ltd at Brundall. Brooms are the longest-established builders of motor cruisers in the UK and the largest in East Anglia. They specialise in the development and building of cabin motor cruisers ranging from 35ft to 53ft in length. They operate from waterside premises at Brundall with the fibreglass hulls and superstructures being produced at Aquafibre located at Rackheath. While the main market is in the UK they export to a number of European countries.

What does the job entail?
Boatbuilding is a skilled job mainly based on fitting out fibreglass hulls. Some companies have separate joinery and boatbuilding sections, whereas others expect their staff to combine these skills. The job involves construction from the bare shell to the complete boat which, when finished, is equal to a top quality house. Staff usually work in small teams and have the satisfaction of seeing the job through from start to finish. Opportunities usually exist to take part on the river or sea trials of the completed boat. While boatbuilding is the main skill, there are also engineers, electrians and laminators involved in the construction of the boats.

What skills and qualifications are needed?
Experience and skills in boatbuilding or joinery. For school leavers there are opportunities for training which usually involve on the job training with day release to a local college. Foundation modern apprenticeships and advanced modern apprenticeship courses in boatbuilding are available locally.

What type of person will fit in?
Someone who fits into a small team where there is a high degree of job satisfaction. They need to be reasonably fit and enjoy working to top quality standards.

What are the pluses and minuses of the job?
Most companies have good working conditions and over the years have provided very regular employment. While this article concentrates on boatbuilding, there are plenty of opportunities for skilled people
to get jobs in the local boat yards operating hire fleets or which provide services to boats in generally. This work can be quite varied.

What opportunities exist for career progression?
Boatbuilding, boat repairs and servicing is a long-established industry in East
Anglia with new facilities being developed on the Norfolk Broads, at Lowestoft, in the Ipswich area as well as other parts of the region. Senior positions, such as supervisors, planners and managers, are most frequently promoted from within existing staff.

What can I expect to earn?
School leavers are encouraged to start at 16 with a four-year period of training during which the pay rates are quite low. Once qualified, pay is usually by the hour based on a 39-hour week. Most boat companies offer plenty of overtime and the average working week is probably about 42 to 44 hours based on a five or five and a half day week.

Any hints on getting a job in this area?
There is a good demand for skilled boatbuilders and local companies regularly advertise in the job supplements and recruitment sections of the Evening News and Eastern Daily Press. Brooms currently has vacancies for boatbuilders and joiners. To apply, contact either Ray Meeks or Fredrick Dale on (01603) 712334. You could also check out local training providers through Norfolk Careers Service.