Performance sports yacht to boost skills training at South Devon College

The donation will allow Princess Yachts’ apprentices and other engineering students at the Paignton-based college to develop the specialist skills needed for yacht manufacturing.
The Princess R35 is now the centrepiece in the college’s new Student Research and Innovation Centre, will allow students to develop their technical skills on a commercial product in a specialist environment.
“South Devon College is immensely grateful for the donation of the R35 vessel” says Steve Caunter, assistant principal at South Devon College.
“Equipment like this is absolutely essential to our commitment of providing local people with the specialist skills that local employers need, giving our students the opportunity to learn in a real life, industry-standard environment.
“The facility will be used across hi-tech curriculums including marine, engineering and digital. All of the marine apprentices and full-time students are expected to experience the R35. In particular of course, it will be a major learning platform for all Princess Yachts apprentices.
“Marine engineers will be able to experience and learn while working in a real engine space, full of advanced technologies.
“Boatbuilders will be able to learn about advanced construction techniques and our composite technicians will learn about carbon fibre structures from their manufacture to refinishing and repair.”
The college became Princess’ chosen partner college in 2019 to provide its apprentices a truly immersive experience of all operations over their four-year traineeship.
In addition to the new Student Research and Innovation Centre, the college’s Marine Academy offers a working boatyard with 10 vessels on which to work and train, with a 90 square metre Princess facility housing a mock-up hull on which apprentices can practice their areas of specialism.
Designed in partnership with world-famous Ben Ainslie Racing Technologies (BAR Technologies) and Pininfarina, the limited edition R35 performance sports yacht combines revolutionary performance capabilities, stunning design, quality, and race-bred technology to deliver a unique on-water experience at all speeds.
Twin direct injection V8 petrol engines with variable valve timing provide exceptional levels of torque and responsiveness to safely power her to an exhilarating 50 knots: the fastest-ever Princess.
Applications for Princess Yachts’ award-winning apprenticeship scheme take place between from November 1 to March 31 each year. Find out more at www.princessyachts.com/careers/apprenticeships