09 March 2010
2 Jersey brothers with a love of the sea have been accepted as apprentices with Jersey Harbours.
Carl Gavey (21) and Aaron Gavey (23) will both become Port Operations Apprentices on 1 March. They were shortlisted with 6 other candidates from an original 42 applicants. The final group took part in a 2 day selection centre which involved formal interviews, personality profiling and group tests designed to assess communication skills, team work, problem solving, delegation and decision making skills.
The 4 year apprentice scheme will give Aaron and Carl experience in all areas of Jersey Harbours business, including the Commercial Port, Jersey Marinas and Jersey Coastguard. Each apprentice will spend 6 months in each department and their training will include working on the tug, the Duke of Normandy.
Human Resources Manager, Martin Dyer said “We're thrilled to have Aaron and Carl on board. It's a first for us to have 2 brothers joining the team at the same time, but both have different maritime backgrounds, so have already demonstrated their commitment to a future in the industry. This is also the first year that the Port Operations Apprenticeship Scheme has been offered and we see the high number of candidates as evidence of the appeal of a career working with us."
The new apprentices will complete a formal NVQ in Port Operations during their training and although there is no guarantee of a job after the scheme, their experience will make them eligible for a future career working in the Port of Jersey.
Aaron and Carl grew up in Jersey. Aaron gained a BSc (Hons) in Marine Geography at Cardiff University, before working on Geological and Hyrographical Survey Ships in Kenya, Angola and the Arctic Circle. He was also part of the team onboard the survey ship MV Vigilant sent in to locate the helicopter which crashed in the North Sea off Aberdeen in April 2009. Carl has sailed across the Atlantic as part of his RYA Ocean Yachtmaster qualification, based in the Isle of Wight, and since then has worked on super yachts based in the Mediterranean.
Aaron said: “We are both really pleased to have been accepted on this apprentice scheme and looking forward to the challenges ahead."
The cost of training is assisted by the States Skills Board which offers employers up to £8,500 for each 4 year apprenticeship.
gov.je