It was August 1983 when seven young apprentices began their journey at Ferguson’s Yard in Port Glasgow. Among them was Jim Nelis, who recently shared his memories with us from his early days at the yard.

He started with a year at the Scott Lithgow Training Centre near the Garvel drydock. This was where apprentices learned their basic trade skills while attending day-release at James Watt College. Many of them continued their studies with City & Guilds qualifications over the next five years – and even picked up some awards.

By summer 1984, Jim had moved up to the Fergusons shipyard itself, where his father Jim ‘Red’ Nelis, a well kent face and a first-class welder, was already working.

Looking back, Jim credits the great tradesmen and mentors, like his father Jim, as well as Eddie Docherty, Archie Gray, Maxi, Alex Graham, Jackie Kelly and others – for teaching not just skills but passing on a deep sense of pride in the work.

Journeymen chats around the fire – or what they called the “Hauf” – were where stories were shared, lessons were passed down, and reputations were made.

Jim stayed at the yard until 1991, before his career took him into quality risk management in the oil and gas sector, but he has never forgotten Clydebuilt values and skills he gained, and looks back on his time at Fergusons very fondly.

In 2024, he returned to Ferguson Marine as a visitor, alongside his good friend and fellow ’83 apprentice, Michael Conway. Welcomed by our General Manager of Operations Hugh McKenzie, the walk through the sheds was a real moment of reflection:

"There’s still experience in that yard that can’t be replaced. And I genuinely hope the next generation of apprentices carry the torch forward with pride and passion – just like we did".

Apprenticeships at Ferguson Marine offer Clydebuilt skills for life – a great start to a career in shipbuilding.