Accepting the ‘Large Employer of the Year’ award in the Queensland Training Awards on behalf of Riviera (from left) Kyle Davison – Manufacturing Director, Keira Badke – Apprentice and Training Manager, Justin Leigh-Smith – Instructor and Darren Kearns – Senior Instructor.
In the 2024 Queensland Training Awards.
One of Australia’s premium luxury motor yacht builders, Riviera, has been awarded ‘Large Employer of the Year’ in the 2024 Queensland Training Awards, following its award for the South East Region. The recognition celebrates the motor yacht builder’s commitment to continually raising its training standards and its dedication to enhancing the skills, lives and careers of its 900-strong team.
Also in the 2024 awards, Riviera’s partnership with Major Training Group was recognised as a finalist in the ‘Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award’ and Riviera’s mature-age apprentice, Robert Henderson, was recognised as a regional finalist for the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year.
Hosted by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, the Large Employer of the Year award also highlights the exceptional training opportunities provided through the motor yacht builder’s exclusive onsite Riviera Academy of Excellence.
Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst said the award was recognition of the company’s significant investment in the Academy of Excellence, which, in turn, reflected the investment in developing its team. “It’s immensely rewarding for me, personally, to see our apprentices develop into people with such accomplished and world-leading yacht building skills – and take that forward into their careers with Riviera. “We want each and every person at Riviera to be the best they can be. So many of our senior managers and tradespeople have completed their apprenticeships here, highlighting the rewarding and long-term career pathway that we offer at Riviera.
“We extend our sincere thanks to the Queensland Government’s Department of Employment, Small Business and Training for supporting these awards and for showcasing excellence in vocational training, which is vital to the future of our industry.”
Riviera Apprentice and Training manager Keira Badke said Riviera’s holistic training program offered strong support for its apprentices “where we teach their chosen trade skills alongside coaching life skills to help nurture world class people that will help build our world-class motor yachts. “I am excited that our training program, which has been operating for over 30 years, is being recognised for everything that we do and proud of the industry-leading standard of onsite training that we offer through our Academy of Excellence.
“This industry recognition is a great reward for our training team and all the hard work they do to mentor our apprentices; to train them to our international level and our exacting requirements.”
Riviera will now represent Queensland in the national awards for ‘Large Employer of the Year’ at the Australian Training Awards to be announced in December.
