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Oxfordshire-based Williams Performance Tenders in the UK is has announced it will once again be giving local students the chance to take part in its innovative training scheme. Now in its fourth year, the course offers young people a fantastic chance to gain valuable practical experience in the marine industry, as well as have the opportunity to become an apprentice with the global-leading brand.

10 young people from schools in Oxfordshire have been selected to attend the five-week Powerboat Workshop course. The practical sessions, which kick off on 23rd April are designed to give young people the chance to learn life-long skills that can be used in future employment, and to teach them more about the sector where Williams Jet Tenders is recognised as a global leader.

The sessions will culminate in an exciting race day at Williams’ test lake on 21st May. Last year, 10 young people enjoyed a fantastic day racing model speed boats of their own designs on the water, and were also given the opportunity to go for a spin as a passenger in one of Williams’ sporty jet tenders.

One attendee from last year’s event was John Howell, MP for Henley who really enjoyed the event and recognised the value the course can bring to young people in Oxfordshire, commenting: “I was so impressed with last year’s event and what the young people had achieved. This really is a fantastic initiative that Mathew and John have set up that is really giving young people a great chance of a career, as well as investing in the future of the industry. I am looking forward to seeing what the students achieve this year and to another thrilling end of course race.”

As in previous years, one of the participants from the course will also be given the opportunity to start work as an apprentice at Williams – underpinning the brand’s commitment to investing in the boat builders of tomorrow. Two young apprentices are already employed at the factory which continues to grow in response to increased global demand.

The scheme was started by brothers Mathew and John Hornsby, founders of Williams Jet Tenders, and is run in partnership with Employment Action Group.

Mathew Hornsby, Sales Director at Williams Performance Tenders, commented: “It’s always been important to John and I that we help to nurture and invest in the boat builders, designers and engineers of our future. We have been so impressed with the calibre of the students, as well as their dedication and hard work over the past three years, and we have high hopes for the young people taking part this year.

“The apprentices that we’ve hired over the past few years are working out really well and it’s fantastic to see them grow in their role here at Williams. Our past students have all really enjoyed the course, particularly the race day at the end, as it gives them a chance to see everything we’ve taught them about designing and building boats in action.”

Founded by brothers Mathew and John Hornsby in 2004, Williams Jet Tenders has established itself as the world’s leading jet tender specialist, renowned for its range of Turbojet, Dieseljet and Sportjet models. The company is launching a new range in 2016, the MiniJet. Williams Jet Tenders now employs 60 staff at its Oxfordshire base, and is supported by a global team of factory trained engineers.

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National Watersports Campus, Dun Laoghaire

Dun Laoghaire Harbour Stakeholders combined forces in 2019 to promote a project to improve the Harbour’s infrastructure resulting in improved access, job creation and greater tourism potential. 

A grant application to government made by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCoCo) assisted by stakeholders was successful with the announcement of a €400k feasibility study grant from the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) in January 2020.

It meant plans for the €8m National Watersports Campus at Dun Laoghaire Harbour got the green light from Government and came a step closer to reality.

The project recognises deficits in the current set up in the harbour, proposing the construction of an all-tide publicly-accessible slipway (none currently in the Greater Dublin Area) as well as a marine services facility, providing a much-needed home for the supporting industry. 

The campus also seeks to provide a marketing framework to make boating more accessible to the general public.

The benefits of such an increase might be obvious for the Dun Laoghaire waterfront but there are other spin-offs for the harbour town in the creation of the sort of jobs that cannot be shipped abroad.

Centre for Community Watersports activity and public slipway

  • High-Performance coaching centre
  • Flexible Event Space for hosting national and international events
  • Multipurpose Building
  • Campus Marketing and Promotional Centre
  • Accommodation for Irish Sailing and Irish Underwater Council
  • Shared NGB Facility
  • Education Centre for schools, community groups and clubs
  • Proposed site – Carlisle Pier

Watersports Campus FAQs

Similar to the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, the watersports campus will provide quality, public, recreational and high-performance facilities for the many watersports participants. The Campus will considerably enhance the services currently provided by more than 30 clubs and activity centres to over 50,000 annual users of the harbour.

The passing of control of the harbour to DLRCC, the public appetite for a community benefitting project and the capital funding for sports infrastructure in the Project 2040 National Plan have aligned to create an opportunity to deliver this proposal.

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) and the Irish Sailing Association (Irish Sailing) are the project leads, endorsed by the National Governing Bodies of other Irish watersports and clubs and activity providers.

The National Sports Policy, published in 2018, established the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) to provide Exchequer support for sports facility projects. In some cases, these may be projects where the primary objective will be to increase active participation in sport. In other cases, these may be venues where the focus is more related to high-performance sport.

Government has allocated at least €100m over the term to 2027 to successful applicant projects.

The Watersports Campus was one of seven successful applicants for Stream 1 funding allowing planning to commence on the project design and feasibility. €442,000 has been granted in this phase.

NThe project will provide for a municipally-owned public access facility to include a small craft slipway that is accessible at all stages of the tide (currently none in public ownership in the greater Dublin area), storage and lock-up resources, watersports event management space, a high-performance centre and NGB accommodation.

The project aims to enhance the profile of Dun Laoghaire as a major international venue for maritime events, shows and conferences. Establish Dun Laoghaire as the 'go-to place' for anything marine – generating revenues Create employment in the county - attract businesses, visitors and events. Grow the market for watersports Promote the services of activity providers to the public. Complement the plan to develop Dun Laoghaire as a 'destination.'

As of January 1 2021, The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has approved the applicant project and DLRCC are expected to appoint a team to further advance the project.

©Afloat 2020