A Falmouth-based project that won a South West competition for funding, has started, with 16 young people on course to benefit.

Almost a year ago Falmouth and Penryn residents got behind the Get On Board project that needed votes to convince the judges it was worthy. This month, the beneficiaries of the project have begun their year-long course that could potentially change their lives forever.

Cornwall Marine Network (CMN) made the application last October to NatWest’s £2.5m Skills and Opportunity Fund which supports organisations that help people develop, create or access the skills and opportunities they need to get into work or start a business.

"Winning this competition means that 16 young people from local communities will have the chance to learn skills that they will be able to use throughout their lives," said David Wickes, CMN academy team leader.

"Since winning the project we have recruited 16 enthusiastic young people from Falmouth and Helston Community schools. They will start either their NVQ level one in boat building or marine engineering and will also have the opportunity to top-up their qualifications with a Royal Yachting Association powerboat certificate."

Teenager Peter Van Dort said: "I didn’t know what I was going to do and thought I would enjoy boat building at KML with CMN so that I can understand and learn about the marine industry and how it operates. This programme will go hand in hand with my construction course I am undertaking at Falmouth College."

All the students will be professionally tutored one day a week at a specially assigned workshop provided by KML located at Falmouth Wharves. "It is particularly great to see the students start a potential marine career at a site that is of key economic importance to Cornwall’s marine infrastructure," said Paul Wickes, chief executive of CMN. "We’d like to thank the marine contractors Keynvor Morlift, new owners of the wharves, for their generous support with providing a workshop for the 16 young people. We are also very grateful for the tools and materials supplied by Wickes of Truro, Woodstock of Falmouth and CFS of St Day."