Traditional Boatbuilding College Enters Liquidation

An award-winning institution dedicated to traditional maritime construction education has ceased operations and is entering liquidation. The International Boatbuilding Training College (IBTC), established in Oulton Broad, Suffolk, in 1975, has confirmed its closure. The college confirmed its closure on Friday, leading to the company’s placement into liquidation, the redundancy of 11 employees, and the anticipated sale of its assets in the coming year. Gerry Skews, a trustee for the Excelsior Trust charity, which offers sailing experiences to young and disadvantaged individuals, stated that the college had been crucial in the restoration and upkeep of their traditional fishing smack. He added that its closure represents “a devastating loss for our region’s maritime heritage.” Located on Sea Lake Road, the college previously offered a comprehensive selection of traditional boatbuilding and joinery courses, alongside shorter programs focused on supplementary woodworking skills and maritime crafts. Mr. Skews remarked: “For over 30 years, the Excelsior Trust has worked closely with the college. They’ve helped us to preserve Excelsior’s heritage, ensuring she continues to sail and inspire young people. Their craftsmanship has been integral to our success.” He further emphasized: “This isn’t just about jobs; it’s about the disappearance of the last remaining small boatbuilding and ship joinery facility in our region.” Mr. Skews posed the question: “The question is – who will preserve the skills and knowledge needed to care for historic vessels like ours?” Mr. Skews noted that numerous IBTC graduates have pursued careers in boatyards both domestically and internationally. He also highlighted that in September 2023, the college received the Maritime Training and Education Programme Award at the National Maritime Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Awards. Regional insolvency and business recovery specialists McTear Williams & Wood issued a statement indicating that IBTC Limited, the entity operating as International Boatbuilding Training College, would “close its doors with effect from 20 December and a meeting of members has been called for that day to place the company into liquidation”. A spokesperson for McTear Williams & Wood confirmed their appointment as joint liquidator. The spokesperson stated: “The current student cohort will leave having been given the opportunity to complete a minimum of the joinery module City & Guilds qualification.” They added: “The directors Lyn and Mike Tupper have been running the company for the last nine years having acquired it for £1 from prior owners and have invested heavily in the business to support it in a difficult market due to less wooden boat building.” The spokesperson further explained: “The Tuppers have tried every avenue to seek support from businesses that still use the college’s unique skills and had a rescue deal lined up until recently but regrettably, with no prospect of increasing student numbers to turn the college back to profitability, have had to make the difficult decision to close. They are the largest creditor.” A social media update from the college verified its closure on Friday and expressed gratitude to all individuals who had participated in the endeavor. The post conveyed: “Those of you who have had to close a business will know that the overriding emotion is one of failure.” It concluded: “We can be immensely proud to always have done right by the students if not our bank balance!”