Meet the apprentice – Ryan’s Story

At Ferguson Marine, we’re proud to support the future of shipbuilding through our apprenticeship programme. 
 
Ryan, currently in his second year as a shipwright apprentice, is one of those continuing the family tradition. His granda was a welder in the shipbuilding industry, and now Ryan is building his own future at the yard. 

He first heard about the programme through a friend already working at Ferguson Marine. The idea of learning a skilled trade close to home – and becoming part of a workforce with deep roots in the local community – inspired him to apply. 

Since joining the team, Ryan has been working on a range of tasks, including aligning mezzanine decks using a burning torch – learning valuable techniques from experienced tradespeople in his team. 

When asked what he’s enjoyed most, Ryan doesn’t hesitate: “Learning new things every day”. He also reflects on the most important lesson he’s taken away so far – “Experience is everything”. 

Our 2025 apprentice programme is now open for applications. For more details on how to apply, visit our Careers page.