I'm sorry, but it doesn't work like that. UK pay will be circa £20k per year for someone with talent but no qualifications or experience...but you wouldn't get a job anyway.
These are normally awarded to those who have either got good degrees but no experience, good experience but no degree or at least years of being around boats and with some design flair. The queue is very long at the moment, and it is full of people who have been around for a considerable time...not just off the boat as it were.
I've seen loads of people who have a healthy opinion in their own abilities but crash and burn when it comes to the most basic of real-world design office pressure..talking the talk but not walking the walk..there are many many who have taken this road before you, and only a very few have made a go of it. Its incredibly hard to get your foot in the door when very talented and experienced people are pushing it shut. Thats it, I've run out of different ways of putting it politely.
I suggest you use this builders contact details and, er, contact him. Ask him the questions you are asking us, then let us know how you get on.