Falmouth Marine School is celebrating 100 years of providing training for the boatbuilding industry. On 1 October, 1920, 96 apprentices from Cox & Co at Falmouth Docks began their boatbuilding apprenticeships with the College.

Head of Falmouth Marine School, Steve Taylor, said everyone at The Cornwall College Group campus was very proud of the history and had looked forward to the big celebration this year.

“We are known as ‘the Career College’, as all of our courses focus on the skills and knowledge required by the industry, thus ensuring that our students are fully employable when they leave us,” he said.

Specialist Training

In the early 1950s, the school became a technical college offering its first full-time boatbuilding course and in 1980 it became Falmouth Marine School, part of The Cornwall College Group. Located at Ponshardon, it is the only place where students can gain specialist training in both traditional and new wood techniques as well as in the latest range of composites.

Projects completed include a prototype for a new generation of sailboat, a replica Viking boat for an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, a Viking Prow for a centre piece at the Chelsea Flower Show and the restoration of one of the Falmouth Working boats.

There are many projects planned for the Centenary learners, including a trio of traditional Cornish rowing boats, a new build 15’ Cornish Skiff, the restoration of an 18’ Cornish Flashboat and the completion of a new build Cornish Pilot Gig.