Gold Coast luxury yacht facility on hunt for trainees
A Gold Coast luxury boat builder Riviera needs dozens of new staff to meet demand.
Coomera-based manufacturer Riviera, whose motor yachts can cost upwards of $8 million, is looking to recruit dozens of school-based apprentices for 2027, focusing on applications from Australia and New Zealand.
Auckland-raised Blake Van Der Net now lives as a boat builder on the Gold Coast in his second year of an engineering apprenticeship.
“I absolutely love working for Riviera, it really is a dream come true,” the 20-year-old says.
He adds that he got the idea to apply from his mum back in 2023.
“Her friend’s son had just applied for an apprenticeship with Riviera, and was excited to move to the Gold Coast, so mum said to me: why don’t you consider an apprenticeship too?”
“Next thing I knew, I was packing my bags for Australia, and it was the best decision I ever made.”
Van Der Net says the marine industry offered many opportunities for young people looking to receive training,
Riviera has 30 traineeships available in 2027, and will host three information sessions at its 13.8 hectare facility this month.
Riviera’s 10 available apprenticeships include cert III in Polymer Processing, Marine Craft Construction, Engineering Diesel Fitter, Timber and Composites Machining, Cabinetmaking, Engineering Fabrication, Engineering Surface Finishing, Upholstery, Furniture Finishing (French Polishing) and Electrotechnology.
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Apprentices will learn at the manufacturer’s award winning Academy of Excellence, learning from experienced senior tradespeople in the industry.
Owner Rodney Longhurst will mentor Rivera’s Propel program, teaching young apprentices not only trade skills, but life skills such as personal financial management, career goals and relationships.
Riviera Apprentice and Training Manager Keira Bradke claimed Riviera empowered it “apprentices by giving them the tools and knowledge to become successful and well rounded members of the community – that’s important to us”.
“We believe that we need to help develop world class people to build our world class motor yachts.”
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