Chairman presents certificates to Heritage Boatyard Trainees
Tony Hales, Chairman of British Waterways, visited the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port (formerly the Boat Museum) to present trainee completion certificates to three young trainees at the museum’s Heritage Boatyard – Anthony Sayle, Andrew Holme and Conner Parker.
The trainees have spent six months working at the boatyard, developing skills such as metalwork and woodwork to help improve their employment prospects for the future. John Inch, Museum Manager, said: “We have been really pleased with Anthony, Andrew and Conner. Over the past six months, they have worked hard to learn new skills and help to restore and conserve boats from the historic collection at the museum. “The practical skills which they have developed are complemented by a range of skills that are less noticeable but equally as valuable to employers such as time keeping, working as part of a team and communication, making Anthony, Andrew and Conner ideal job candidates for a range of industries. “We were delighted that Tony Hales was able to visit the museum to present the course completion certificates. Tony has been a strong supporter of the Heritage Boatyard and all that we are trying to achieve, especially working with young people to help them to develop the skills needed in this sector.” Anthony Sayle, 19, started as a Heritage Boatyard Trainee after volunteering to work in the boatyard through the Waterways Action Squad. “I work with Dave, the Boatyard Supervisor, and John, the Boatyard Officer, learning woodworking and metalworking skills with other trainees. We get put to put these into practice on boats currently in the yard such as Mendip. I’ve learnt masses of woodworking and metalworking skills that I have found really interesting and hopefully will be useful in future jobs. The Future Job Fund which is funding my job will end soon but I am still going to stay on as volunteer with the Waterways Action Squad to see the work finished on Mendip.” The Heritage Boatyard Trainees are funded through the Future Jobs Fund. The National Waterways Museum, at Ellesmere Port, is home to the national collection of historic working boats, some of which visitors can board to explore and find out how the working boat people used to live. The Museum also has a trip boat, hands-on exhibits, films, touch-screen displays, stables, a blacksmith, docks, pump houses, workers cottages and gardens, an archive, a soft play area, Museum shop and cafe. For more information call 0151 355 5017 or visit www.nwm.org.uk
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