Salcombe Local wins British Marine Federation Training Award

Trainee/ Apprentice of the Year Award

Robert Hitchen, who studied at The Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis won this award.

Rob worked as a Fisherman in Salcombe but wanted to work as a Boatbuilder. He renovated and sold his fishing boat to finance his Boatbuilding course and went on to complete a City & Guilds Level Three certificate in Boatbuilding at Boatbuilding Academy. Since completing the course he has set up a company to build Salcombe Yawls and within twelve months expects to be in a position to employ another boat builder to work alongside him.

I went to School at the same time as Rob (a few years above) and he was an excellent sailor and a half decent rugby player. Add in the fact that he was also a nice bloke and it seems a great reward for his work.

Anyone who continues the local boat building trade deserves a reward, if only for the very reason that it means there should be one less location for a restuarant or clothes shop!