Navigating a Boatbuilding Career

Aimee working with Pakuranga College student Leah

For Aimee Dawson, working in the boatbuilding trade feels like the perfect mix, working with her hands and a love of boating. “Growing up I just loved being hands-on, I pitched in with home renovation projects and also spent so much time on boats with my family. So it’s kind of been a dream to put both these together.”

Aimee’s career journey began with a carpentry apprenticeship after leaving school. She loved the building aspect, but her path took a new course when a chance encounter at a marina sparked a lightbulb moment. Looking around, she thought, “Wait, this is actually a thing? You can build boats? I didn’t even know it existed as a career option!”

Nearly two years into her MAST Academy apprenticeship at The Boatbuilders, based at Half Moon Bay Marina, company owner Joe Richardson hasn’t forgotten when Aimee first started. “She came in to help out for a couple of weeks and never left,” he says with a smile. “Aimee’s exceptional. She’s a hard worker who puts in the effort, does her research and bookwork at home and comes back with lots of great questions – that kind of enthusiasm is contagious!

“Much of the work here involves repairs, insurance jobs, refits or one-off alterations. Unlike traditional boat construction, there’s no set plan, which means plenty of problem-solving and Aimee has taken to this challenge quickly,” says Joe.

In fact, problem-solving is an aspect Aimee really thrives on. One of her go-to approaches is to visualise the project first. “One thing that surprised me was how helpful sketching is,” she says. “Taking a bit of time to draw something out before getting stuck into a job really makes it easier. It’s like planning ahead in a creative way, pen, paper, bit of a sketch – it helps me a lot.”

Joe Richardson (left), Mark Baxter, Aimee and Leah

Support and mentorship

As a young woman in a predominantly male industry, Aimee says she’s never felt out of place. “Honestly, it doesn’t even feel like a thing. No one treats me any differently, I just feel like one of the boys and that’s a great feeling.” She adds that the team are her biggest supporters: “Joe’s been amazing, guiding me through and Scott as well. I’ve felt supported from day one, not just by the team but by everyone around the marina. It’s such a positive place.”

Joe agrees, saying her presence, along with other young people who’ve come through, has changed the culture for the better. “This industry used to be a real blokes’ space, as you can imagine. But that’s gone. It feels more like a family now. The guys have become mentors to the young apprentices, including Aimee, every day she’s got a dozen dads and big brothers. That’s shifted the whole dynamic.”

Balancing study with work has been another challenge for Aimee but one she’s tackled with steady discipline. “I try to do half an hour a night on my apprenticeship papers. If I chip away at it, I usually get a paper done each week,” she says. Joe notices the effort: “She puts in the time, even when it’s frustrating and that speaks volumes. She doesn’t just tick the box - she really wants to learn.”

Aimee with Greg McClean (right)

Inspiring the next generation

Aimee’s advice to other young people considering boatbuilding as a career? “Just do it. Give it a go. Work experience is the best way to discover if it’s for you. I love it. Not a single day have I looked back.”

Through MAST’s Launch it – School to Work programme, secondary students can spend one day a week in a workplace, gaining skills while completing modules. It’s a way to test the waters, build confidence and discover whether a marine trade could be the right fit.

Leah Martin, a Year 12 student from Pakuranga College, jumped at the chance to take part in the programme. Joe’s culture of mentoring, combined with MAST’s School to Work programme, made it easy to give her hands-on experience. “I really enjoyed the experience,” Leah says. “There was so much to do and learn and having Aimee as a mentor made it even more special. She showed me some tricks, it was inspiring to see where I could be in a few years.”

In turn, mentoring Leah came naturally to Aimee. “I know what it’s like starting out and wondering if you’re doing things right. Having someone to guide you makes a big difference and it’s great to pass on some skills,” she says. Joe adds that students like Leah bring great energy to the place. “They come in keen and ready to learn. The team shows them the ropes and you never know we might just be kickstarting a career.’”

Joe knows the journey well, he was once an apprentice himself. Peter Millen founded the company in 1980 with a clear vision for quality boatbuilding. In 2015, that vision passed into the hands of Joe, one of Peter’s original apprentices to continue the legacy.

It certainly feels like The Boatbuilders is more than just a workplace, it’s where skills are valued, support runs deep, and MAST’s training blends with family-style mentorship. It’s a place where the whole team is dedicated to passing on this skilled trade to the next generation.