Thunderbolt Marine, an East Coast yacht repair facility, described training and entry-level hiring opportunities for students and young adults during a presentation. Ken Slats, a Thunderbolt Marine representative, spoke about the company’s departments, daily routines and what the employer is seeking in candidates.

The company emphasized practical, hands-on skill development tied to jobs that Slats said “will not be replaced by AI.” He said the facility works on vessels “from 30 to 300 feet,” and that the shop has multiple in-house trades where students can learn and progress.

Thunderbolt Marine’s pitch matters because it links local vocational training to immediate employment opportunities. Slats said the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) is preparing students for the skilled trades the yard uses, and that the company is “ready to hire.” This presentation places the company’s recruiting message directly alongside local career-preparation efforts.

Slats described the day-to-day work and shop structure. He said shifts begin with assignments—“Coming here, getting started at 07:15, you know, you get an assignment”—and stressed workplace expectations: keeping work areas clean and following step-by-step processes. He listed internal departments students could join: a machine shop (mechanics), canvas and upholstery (sewing and interior fabrics), a cabinetry department that builds wood fixtures, a CNC machine, a rigging department that removes and refits hardware, a paint booth, HVAC and an electrical department. He said those varied shops create “a plethora of opportunities for our area's young adults.”

Slats pointed to the facility’s longevity and mentoring capacity. He said Thunderbolt Marine has operated, in various forms, since 1969 and described a workforce that includes “seasoned vets” who can teach trades. He urged applicants who have “a desire to want to learn a trade,” reliable attendance and basic soft skills such as communication and teamwork. He also encouraged combining work and school, saying he worked part time while attending school and that “you can progress a lot that way.”

On the types of skills emphasized, Slats said welding experience was being taught on site: “I'm actually getting the welding experience and, you know, the more I do it, the better I get.” He emphasized the variety of daily tasks—cutting holes, fabricating, rigging and painting—and said employees should expect new challenges and opportunities to learn each day. He described the work environment as busy but collaborative: “we all help each other out” and the goal is to “get all our stuff done right the first time.”

The presentation was descriptive and promotional rather than a formal board action; no motions, votes or policy decisions were made or recorded. There were no specific wage figures, contact details, application deadlines or formal apprenticeship program terms stated in the presentation.

Thunderbolt Marine’s remarks connected to local career-preparation efforts and outlined the specific shop-based trades and daily expectations potential hires would encounter. The company stated it is looking for punctual, motivated students and young adults and that on-the-job training and mentorship are available, but the presentation did not specify hiring timelines, compensation, or formal program enrollment procedures.