Shipwrights’ bronze medal awarded to RNLI apprentice for outstanding work

Stirling Taylor has been awarded a prestigious bronze medal by the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights in recognition for his outstanding work during his RNLI apprenticeship.

Each year, the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights calls every known yard in the UK for nominations of all apprentices who have completed their apprenticeship.

In September 2019, 23-year-old Stirling successfully completed his four-year apprenticeship with the RNLI.

Up against apprentices in the marine industry from all over the UK, Stirling was selected to take part in a week-long course and evaluation. During the week’s assessments, Stirling tackled mental and physical challenges and had to demonstrate how effectively he worked with others.

On completion of the course, Stirling, along with five others, was taken to interview where he was asked questions on various aspects of the marine industry.

Following his apprenticeship, Stirling has been offered full-time employment by the RNLI as a technician boatbuilder. “The four-year apprenticeship with the RNLI has taught me so many new skills. I have had the opportunity to rotate around different areas of workmanship while being able to get hands-on experience building the new RNLI Shannon class lifeboats,” says Stirling. “It really has been a great start to my career, and I’m pleased to now continue full time with the RNLI.”

Stirling not only works for the RNLI, he has also been a volunteer crewmember at Burnham-on-Crouch and Poole for the past five years.

Dan Sharp, Manufacturing Manager at the RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat Centre, says: “Stirling has had a productive four years as an RNLI apprentice and has shown huge technical ability. I’m pleased the skills he has learnt during his time have allowed him to stay on in a permanent role. Stirling has shown a natural affiliation and skill with boatbuilding and he is an asset to the team who help build our lifeboats.”