HRH Prince William visited the Sunseeker Skills Academy at Bournemouth and Poole College today to acknowledge the significant progress of the Homewards initiative, an ambitious five year, community-driven programme introduced in June 2023 by the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales. This important programme aims to demonstrate that homelessness in the UK can be eradicated through collaboration.

During his visit, His Royal Highness spent time with trainees at the Sunseeker Skills Academy, a fast-track boatbuilding programme designed to help people develop valuable trade skills while tackling the UK’s ongoing national skills shortage. Sunseeker launched the Skills Academy in 2023 in partnership with Bournemouth and Poole College to open new career pathways. This key local initiative offers a fully funded, intensive boatbuilding course where candidates will learn extensive trade skills in carpentry, plumbing, composite bonding, engineering, and electrical installations.

As part of the Homewards BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole) Coalition, Sunseeker, Bournemouth and Poole college, and local charity Faithworks have teamed up to offer practical employment opportunities to those in need. The initiative has already helped people like Daniel, who joined Sunseeker in August 2024 as a trainee boat builder after completing a Job-Ready Programme at the college.

“The course was great.” Daniel shared. “It served as a perfect transition from being at Faithworks to a more structured learning environment. We were able to gain experience in five different types of trade as part of the curriculum and were therefore, able to see which one we preferred for a full-time career choice.”

Sunseeker's HR Director, Sian Dodds, spoke with his Royal Highness about the company’s commitment to supporting Homewards and investing in people.

“It's a privilege for us to assist our candidates in developing essential skills that will empower them to build successful careers in the industry. By providing these valuable opportunities, we not only tackle the national skills shortage but can also play a crucial role in combating homelessness within our local community. Our collaboration with the Homewards programme, Faithworks and Bounemouth and Poole college ensures that these pathways are not only effective but also accessible to those who are eager to pursue them.”

Homewards is working with six key regions across the UK to develop long-term solutions to homelessness. With over 300,000 people—including nearly 150,000 children—currently homeless or in temporary housing, the programme is determined to break the cycle and provide sustainable, local solutions.

For further information on Homewards, please visit The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales.