Imagine building a luxury motor yacht worth upwards of $8 million. For dozens of lucky school leavers, this dream is about to become reality. Gold Coast luxury boat manufacturer Riviera is currently on a major hiring spree, searching both locally and across the Tasman for its next cohort of school based apprentices.
Starting in January, the Coomera based business has approximately 30 traineeships up for grabs for 2027. While many positions will undoubtedly go to locals, the company is actively encouraging applicants from New Zealand to throw their hats in the ring.
Take it from Blake Van Der Net, an Auckland raised 20 year old who is currently in his second year of an engineering apprenticeship at Riviera. He credits his mother for his exciting career move.
“I was finishing school in 2023, and my mum was having a chat with her best friend as they went for a walk one day,” Blake explains. “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?”
The suggestion sparked a major life change. “Next thing I knew, I was packing my bags for Australia, and it was the best decision I ever made,” Blake says. “I absolutely love working for Riviera, it really is a dream come true … The marine industry is amazing – there’s so many opportunities.”
A World Class Training Programme
The opportunities at Riviera are vast. The manufacturer is offering 10 different Certificate III apprenticeships. The comprehensive list includes:
- Polymer Processing (Composites)
- Marine Craft Construction
- Engineering Diesel Fitter
- Timber and Composites Machining
- Cabinetmaking (Furniture)
- Engineering Fabrication
- Engineering Surface Finishing
- Upholstery
- Furniture Finishing (French Polishing)
- Electrotechnology
Trainees do not just learn the physical tools of the trade. They study at the manufacturer’s award winning Academy of Excellence, learning from some of the marine industry’s most experienced senior tradespeople.
Apprentices also complete the exclusive Propel program. In this unique initiative, owner Rodney Longhurst personally mentors the young trainees. The focus goes beyond standard trade skills to cover essential life lessons, including personal financial management, relationship building, and setting career goals.
“We teach vocational skills and far more,” says Keira Badke, Riviera’s Apprentice & Training Manager. “We empower our 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.”‘
Making the move to the Gold Coast
For those considering the move, the Gold Coast offers an undeniable drawcard. As Keira points out, living and working in the region means enjoying an incredible lifestyle.
“Any high school students who might like to follow in Blake’s footsteps, should reach out to us and register for one of our information evenings,” she notes. “Living and working on the Gold Coast has many advantages too – 300 days of sunshine each year – that’s a great lifestyle.”
The proof is in the results. While Australia’s National Centre for Vocational Education Research reports a national apprenticeship completion rate of around 69 per cent, Riviera boasts a massive 95 per cent completion rate among its apprentices.
High school students eager to launch a premium marine career can register for one of the three information evenings hosted this month at Riviera’s impressive 13.8 hectare facility.
