A LUXURY yacht builder based on Portland will recruit a record number of apprentices this year.

Sunseeker International is set to hire 10 new apprentices to its base on the island, which will take its total apprentices in 2015 to 38, which is the highest amount in one year the firm has ever taken on.

The new apprentices will play a pivotal role on the production line of Sunseeker’s range of yachts, from the 48 foot San Remo through to the company’s flagship 155 foot super-yacht.

As well as gaining hands-on experience at the firm, the apprentices, who will be on a fixed three-year training contract, will also be on day release to Bournemouth and Poole College.

Alex Bowman, Sunseeker’s training manager, said: “We are delighted to be recruiting 10 further apprentices to join our team on Portland.

“Our record intake of apprentices demonstrates our investment in the future of the marine industry, enabling young people in the local community to kick-start their career in this sector.

“Developing new talent within the workforce is essential to maintaining our reputation and position as a world leader in luxury performance motor yacht design and manufacture and we fully recognise that.”