National Careers Week – A day in life of a Marine Workshop Manager

by Emma Slater on 4 Mar 2015 In our second ‘Day in the Life’ visit for day two of Lifeskills National Careers Week, we chat with Rupert Perry, workshop manager at Rob Perry Marine Ltd and lover of engines and boats!

Twenty four year old Rupert has been Workshop Manager at Rob Perry Marine Ltd, boat chandlers and marine engineers for almost five years and is Chief Instructor at RPM Sea School and loves all things boats and engines. Rupert tells exactly how it all started, what his job involves and the skills and qualifications needed to have a job like his…

Why did you want a job in the marine industry?
I grew up around boats and engines, I loved anything mechanical or related to the sea from a very young age. It has always been my passion to work in the marine industry.

So where did it all start?
I started to work as a Saturday helper and then worked during my school holidays

For the type of work you do what skills or qualifications would someone need to do your type of work?
I would say that firstly you need to have a love of boats and engines. Other useful qualifications would be a strong basic knowledge in, Maths, Science mainly Physics, English and a basic understanding of the principles of how an engine works.

What kind of training have you undertaken to broaden your skills and knowledge?
I have acquired a vast knowledge of all types of marine engine, Inboard, Outboard – Petrol, Diesel – 4 stroke and 2 stroke principles. How to work as part of a team as well as independently. Through hard work and commitment I now have several qualifications.

At 17 I qualified as an RYA Powerboat instructor, then at 18 I qualified as a Honda Marine Maintenance Technician and was fully trained in and then as a Honda Marine Diagnostic Technician. I was also fully trained in Mercury/Mariner and Mercuriser marine engines.

By 21 I had qualified as a Honda Marine Master Technician, making me the youngest person ever to reach this standard and only one of three in the UK and at 22 I was promoted to Workshop Manager.

What do you love about your job?
I love everything about my job! I am enjoying my hobby every day!! The variety of work daily, the interesting people I meet every day and the sense of achievement that I feel once a job is completed and handed back to the customer.

What are biggest challenges in your job?
The biggest challenges for me are keeping up to date with new technology within the Marine industry. Models and information are changing frequently and new products are launched periodically. I have to keep up to date with all developments to continue to do my job efficiently and to continue to develop my knowledge and skills.

What are your top tips for someone thinking about getting a career in the marine industry?
Spend as much time as you can on and around the water and boats. Volunteer at your local boat yard, do your work experience in the industry. Learn the basic principles of how and engine works, play around with engines as much as you can. Take every opportunity you can to get involved.

I believe that if you apply yourself and really want something, there’s always a way. Stick at it and you will succeed.

What has been your favourite aspect of your job so far and why?
To progress through hard work and training to become a Master Technician has been an amazing experience for me and has enabled me to get so much job satisfaction as a result. To work with boats, engines and to work outdoors doing what I love is one of my favourite aspects of my job.

Can you describe a typical working day for us?
Um a typical days work!

I start my day planning the workload for myself and the technicians in the workshop, we have a daily morning briefing to chat over, allocate each particular job and discuss any problems.

Daily activities range from fitting out a new boat with engine, electronics, steering gear and safety equipment or working on a large commercial fishing vessel. Servicing an outboard engine, diagnosing faults, sea trialing boats and handing over to the customer.

If I’m lucky, I’m out on the water teaching students on RYA Powerboat training courses. Most days I go to work not knowing what to expect, I could be called out on a breakdown, collecting or delivering a boat, ordering spare parts, selling a new engine – my job keeps me on my toes.

What kind of skills do people need if thinking of a career in this area?
People skills, most importantly, you must enjoy meeting people and feel comfortable about that. A basic knowledge of how an engine works and a love of boats. The rest you can learn through hard work and commitment.

What advice would you give someone starting out in the marine industry?
Get involved! Sailing Clubs, local boat yards, etc. you will pick up a lot of knowledge around the people already involved. Keep up to date with what’s happening in the marine world, visit boat shows etc. Ask questions and keep busy.

What would be your dream job in the marine industry?
My dream is to own my own Marine Business one day and to pass on my experience and knowledge. To be able to offer as many services to customers as I possibly can, keeping people and their boats happy! And encouraging as many as possible to enjoy a great hobby out on the water.