Building boats, and careers
Across the ditch on the Gold Coast, Riviera is gearing up for another big intake of apprentices, and they’re actively welcoming Kiwi applicants. As one of Australia’s largest luxury yacht builders, Riviera already has a strong Kiwi following among its owners. Now, they’re opening the door to New Zealanders keen to get stuck into the marine industry from the ground up.
The company is taking on 30 to 50 new apprentices in 2026, offering the chance to work hands-on across a range of trades, including marine craft construction, composite technology, upholstery, CNC machining, and electrotechnology.
“It takes ten trades to build one of our motor yachts,” a Riviera rep told 9 News. “We don’t just train workers, we help shape long careers.”
Riviera’s boats, often valued in the millions, are complex builds involving everything from AC boards and underwater transducers to handcrafted cabinetry and advanced fishfinder systems. You don’t need to know it all when you start, but if you’ve got the right attitude, Riviera will teach you.
From school leavers to full-timers
There are two types of Riviera apprenticeships: school-based (part-time) for senior students, or full-time for those ready to jump straight in. Many of the current trainees start as Year 11s and work part-time while finishing school. Others take it on as a full-time post-secondary pathway.
Nineteen-year-old Nicholas Kean started just that way.
“I was at the boat show a few years ago and spoke to some young apprentices,” he told 9 News. “The passion they had really stuck with me.”
Now, he’s two years into a hands-on electrical apprenticeship, wiring up lighting, BBQs, AC boards, fishfinders, you name it.
Retention speaks volumes
It’s one thing to offer an apprenticeship. It’s another to build a system that works. Riviera’s apprentice programme boasts a 95% retention rate, meaning most stay on well beyond graduation.
That speaks to more than just training. It’s about building a work culture where tradespeople are valued, mentored, and offered a real path forward.
The company has trained hundreds of craftspeople over its 45-year history, many of whom now mentor the next generation or lead departments within the company. Riviera apprenticeships are well-regarded across the marine industry, both in Australia and abroad.
How to apply
Information sessions have already wrapped, but applications remain open. If you’re a Kiwi with a strong work ethic, a genuine interest in boating, and a willingness to learn, now’s the time to register.
Visit:
👉 https://www.rivieraaustralia.com/career-opportunities/apprenticeship-opportunities/
It could be the start of something big, and not just in Australia. These skills are globally relevant, and there’s plenty of scope to bring that experience home one day.
“Riviera is the best place to start your career in the marine industry,” their careers page says, and with over 6,000 yachts launched worldwide, they’ve got the track record to prove it.
Final word for boaties
If you’ve ever admired a Riviera at anchor or on the move, this is your chance to get behind the build. Whether it’s your first step in the workforce or a career pivot into boating, Riviera apprenticeships 2026 offer a practical, well-supported pathway into marine trades.
Just make sure your passport’s up to date, and pack some jandals for the Gold Coast sun.
