SMIFutures Early Career Profiles: Ian Johnson

Following last week’s National Apprenticeship Week, hear from Ian Johnson, Quality Technician at RNLI as he shares his journey into the maritime industry as an apprentice. Ian discusses the many practical skills gained as an apprentice and how keeping a passion for making a difference at the front of mind provides invaluable job satisfaction in his role today.

What initially attracted you to the maritime industry, and why did you choose it as a career path?

I started scuba diving when I was 12 years old and fell in love with the water. The adventure and excitement of the ocean always pulled me towards it. Being on a boat and hearing the water is much more relaxing to me than being on land.

What initially attracted you to your company, and why did you choose it for your career path?

For me, the RNLI was an obvious choice because I've always wanted to help the community. I like to assess my life choices by imagining how people would describe what I did when I'm old. For me, it's as simple as: he did what he could to help people and try to save lives. I consider the work we do very important, and the job satisfaction of making a difference cannot be replaced.

Can you tell us about your educational background and how it prepared you for your current role in the maritime industry?

Unlike most people on the SMIFutures Board, I took the apprenticeship route. Leaving school at 17 to gain practical skills. I moved from Hertfordshire to Dorset to start at the RNLI. In timeline order:

• Finished my GCSEs in 2016
• Studied Business at college for a year in 2017
• Completed a 4-year Level 3 apprenticeship in Boatbuilding (2018-2022)
• Became a Technician Boatbuilder (2022-2023)
• Joined Poole lifeboat station as volunteer crew in 2023
• Moved into the quality team as a Quality Technician in 2023
• Started a Level 6 apprenticeship, a Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Management pathway (2023-2028)

Doing an apprenticeship has given me a clear career path and helped me to develop in all areas of my life. I’m slightly biased but I strongly believe that apprenticeships are and will be key to the UK maritime sector especially with an aging workforce. Apprenticeships are the best way to bring young people into our sector.

Can you share any memorable experiences?

The RNLI runs a comprehensive apprenticeship program, and as part of this, I got to go to the Lake District for a week with the Outward-Bound Trust. This week really brought us apprentices closer together and enhanced our family feel. We climbed Great Gable and Scafell Pike, went river gorging and rafting, and were pushed mentally with puzzles and tasks. It felt like being on an episode of Taskmaster. This experience made me realize I could lead my colleagues, and it was then I decided I wanted to become a Manufacturing Manager at the RNLI. A big lesson I learned is to accept when you're wrong and work as a team rather than trying to be right all the time. Sometimes you'll have the best idea in the room, other times you won't.

What skills or qualities do you believe are essential for success in the maritime industry, especially for early career professionals?

The main thing is to be enthusiastic and absorb as much as you can. Be a sponge and make use of the experience around you. Believe in yourself and that this can be the career for you. Basically, get stuck in!