Essex region show support for maritime apprentices
01 October 2025
An apprenticeship scheme that is helping keep Maldon’s boatbuilding heritage alive has been boosted by a donation from Persimmon Homes Essex region.
Essex region donated £3,000 from their Community Champions fund to the Heritage Marine Foundation, based at Downs Road Boatyard.
The charity supports those from disadvantaged backgrounds to train as apprentices and learn the skills needed to restore traditional sailing vessels including shipwrighting, sailmaking and rigging as well as electrical and marine engineering.
Apprentices have recently built a 52-foot classic yacht from scratch, and work on restoring historic vessels that have fallen into disrepair, preserving the history while honing their skills.
Jasmin Klimcke, a former apprentice with the foundation who now manages the current apprentices, said: “Our next project is to convert a boat into floating accommodation for the apprentices to enable us to offer places to those from further afield who may not be able to afford to travel here.
“The money from Persimmon will be used to start these works and we are grateful for this opportunity to be able to grow our apprenticeship scheme and offer training to those who would not otherwise have the chance to work in the industry.”
Matt Atton, Land and Planning Director for Persimmon Homes Essex, said: “Apprenticeships are a great enabler of the economy, and at persimmon Homes we have a proud history of supporting apprentices within the construction industry.
“We are delighted to be able to offer this donation and look forward to hearing how the scheme here is growing to bring even more aspiring boatbuilders into the marine industry.”
Persimmon Homes have planning consent for 281 new homes on land east of Broad Street Green Road, in Heybridge near Maldon. The new development will bring their Charles church brand to the district and 50% of the homes will be offered to those in housing need through either the shared ownership scheme or affordable rent via a registered housing partner.
