Boat Builders Career Guide: Duties, Earnings and Employment Outlook
Submitted by: Gypsy Santiago
Job Overview: The job of shipwrights is to construct or repair boats and ships, based on specific blueprints. Their job involves cutting and forming all structures, frames and other parts using power tools and other specialized tools for boat building. They work on all sizes and types of boats, ships or even naval vessels. Shipbuilders, which are originally called shipwrights, are also trained to assess boat condition, diagnose problems and consult with supervisors and customers about the necessary repairs needed done.
Education, Training and Knowledge Requirements: To become successful in this field, one should obtain a high school diploma and complete a 6-month or 1-year maritime shipbuilding program. Others gain experience from a lengthy apprenticeship with professional shipwrights, with whom they learn all about the creative and practical aspects of boat building; handling machinery and tools, as well as knowledge of design techniques, methods and principles. Some choose to specialize on structures, boat mechanisms or design.
Skills & Abilities: Boat builders must be highly creative and have high aptitude of engineering, math, physics, chemistry and fine arts. They should also have exceptional organizational skills, multi-tasking and time management skills; excellent communication and customer service skills; and effective teaching skills. Shipwrights should also be physically fit, since their job entails reaching high structures. He/she must also possess basic marketing strategies, product demonstration and sales skills needed in promoting, presenting and selling products or services. If a boat builder owns his/her company, he/she must have strong managerial and people skills.
Duties: The task of boat builders include but are not limited to cutting and forming parts using power tools and woodworking tools; constructing and shaping wooden structures or other parts; attaching metal parts to the ship;
establishing a dimensional reference point on the layout; finishing ship surfaces to specified finish; assembling structures such as hull timbers in ship; consulting with clients and supervisors about specific blueprint details; and inspecting boats for defects.
Some shipbuilders also prepare preliminary sketches of parts and sections, produce patterns and templates, fit out internal and external vessel components, supervise launching and slipping procedures, carrying out repairs, teaching boat builders aspects of design and production, as well as supervising shipbuilding staff, among others.
Earnings & Job Outlook: Most shipwrights begin their career as shipbuilders. According to payscale.com, shipwrights earn $17/hour, but this may increase or decrease depending on experience, location of job and company. Those who specialize in building one type of ship/boat usually garner reputation for their work and receive better opportunities or clients.
Gypsy Santiago is a professional resume writer and career search strategy/career branding coach with years of experience in assisting job seekers prepare for the job market. She helps create career-targeted resumes, provides useful tips about career transition, offers future career ideas and guide jobseekers about effective job search techniques.
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