Working Life

Boatbuilders work on all construction aspects of pleasure and small, commercial boats. They study designs and then carry out work to specifications. To do this they work with a wide variety of materials including wood, iron, steel, copper, aluminium, and glass reinforced plastics (GRP). They fix rudders and may add masts, riggings and may also install engines.  
 
For the internal furnishings they may use cloth materials. They select and match appropriate woods and use woodworking skills to make straight and angle joints. They may also make internal furnishings.  
 
They may also do electrical, plumbing and welding work. Depending on the sise of the company boatbuilders may specialise in a specific area or they may complete an entire project themselves. Some boatbuilders also work in the design field.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Training can be on-the-job working under the supervision of skilled trades people. Currently Kerry College Marine Engineering runs a full-time course on boat building Search our PLC CourseFinder

Key Skill certs: search our FET CourseFinder 

Manual Handling

Working at Height

SafePass

Welding (Mig & Tig).

Trades skills & tools use, working with metal, composite, and timber materials will assist your skills development. 

Skills and qualifications for this trade can be be developed via Further Education and Training courses. These key Skills Certs are available to search via search our FET CourseFinder

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €48k

Salaries vary by employer, location, self employ/ employee, duties, role, and experience.

Data Source(s):
National Careers Service/ Salary Explorer/ Salary Expert

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Glass and ceramics process operatives, Textile process operatives, Rubber process operatives, Plastics process operatives, Metal making and treating process operatives, Electroplaters, Process operatives n.e.c., Industrial cleaning process occupations, Packers, bottlers, canners and fillers, Elementary process plant occupations n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

Despite employment levels increasing annually since 2021, they remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. There was a relatively high volume of online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) for this occupation, primarily for packers, although the level of adverts has fallen since 2022. Posts advertised through DSP related mostly to general operatives.

These roles were also highlighted as difficult-to-fill in the Recruitment Agency Survey and Skills for Growth data (along with shift operators), with the perceived attractiveness of the job (e.g. shift work) a potential contributing factor in terms of recruitment issues for this occupation.

• Irish Martimtime Development Office

  • Three Park Place Upper Hatch Street Dublin 2 D02 FX65
  • 01 775 39 00
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• International Boatbuilding Training College

  • Sea Lake Road, Oulton Broad, Lowesoft, Suffolk NR32 3LQ, UK
  • + 44 1502 569 663
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here