About IBTC
The International Boatbuilding Training College (IBTC) Ltd was set up in 1975 and provides training in the skills and knowledge required to repair, conserve and build wooden boats. The emphasis is on traditional techniques and construction, although modern methods including FRP are also covered. IBTC has an average of 38 students per year spread over four intakes and employs five instructors, a stores man and two administrators.
IBTC is a registered training centre delivering City & Guilds 2463 Marine Construction, Systems Engineering and Maintenance as well as a range of customised courses specific to maritime heritage and traditional boatbuilding. The College is operated in the manner of a commercial boatyard to help students get used to being in a working yard and improve their employability prospects. Training is divided between the separate departments of: joinery; boatbuilding; marine plumbing, electrics and engine installation; FRP, machine regulations, HSE, knots & splices; welding, marine engineering and blacksmithing; general maintenance and store management.
IBTC has worked on a number of significant historic vessels including Cutty Sark, Maria (the last lateener 1832), HMS Gannet, HMS Warrior, MTB 102, Lowestoft smack Excelsior, and steam drifter Lydia Eva and is highly experienced in understanding and carrying out a range of conservation requirements. IBTC has also recently been involved in various funding applications for skills training projects including: a Heritage Lottery Fund bid in partnership with the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust and Buckler’s Hard Maritime Museum; a Coastal Communities Fund bid in partnership with National Historic Ships UK; and a European Interreg IVA application requiring detailed work with 6 French organisations and 6 UK organisations with IBTC as lead partner.
IBTC Heritage
IBTC Heritage is the commercial unit of the International Boatbuilding Training College (IBTC) Ltd to carry out work which did not sit readily into the College's training remit in Lowestoft.
The commercial arm was officially launched on 15 June 2012 by Waveney MP Peter Aldous who said: "Our heritage is absolutely vital, but the skills and work force that keeps it going is just as important for the future."
The centre has ten staff and hopes to restore, maintain, build or rebuild up to 12 boats a year. Projects already undertaken include the major restoration of a 43’ 1936 Redningskoit, re-decking and rebuilding the aft cabin, wheelhouse and mizzen mast of the Lydia Eva and building a new oak wheel for Woodbridge Tidemill.
The commercial unit is staffed independently of the College and student labour is not used on any commercial project. However, half of the commercial staff are IBTC graduates.
The commercial unit undertakes new build and restoration in wood using both moden and traditional techniques.
Over the coming years it is our aim to build on existing relationships with local businesses, charitable bodies and trusts; in order to establish a hub of heritage boatbuilding skills and resources in Lowestoft.
With the already well established presence of the Lydia Eva and Mincarlo Trust, The Excelsior Trust and Slipways run by Safety Boat Services, the MTB 102 Trust and with facilities to hand such as Sea Lake Marina, Newson's boat yard, The Haven Marina, Lowestoft Marina and Smalls dry dock, Lowestoft is well placed to fulfil this role.
LATEST NEWS
December 2023 IBTC has launched a new Bursary Scheme. Open to UK citizens between the age 18 to 40, they are offering bursaries that will cover up to 50% of their full-time Boatbuilding course fee. In addition, they are introducing rolling start dates and a more flexible timetable for their Boatbuilding and Woodworking & Joinery courses, starting January 2024. Full story
September 2023 IBTC has won the Maritime Training and Education Programme Award at the National Maritime SME Awards 2023. Full story
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