Responsibilities
You’ll be embarking on one of the world’s top apprenticeship schemes, which means training will be a constant feature of your time with us. As well as helping you develop your Royal Navy career, everything you achieve will be valued by a future civilian employer.
It will also be recognised by Professional Institutions, so you can take a streamlined route to registering as an EngTech or an IEng. It takes place in two distinct environments: at onshore training facilities and on-board operational ships.
When you join you complete 10 weeks of basic naval training, followed by marine engineering training at HMS Sultan, focussing on:
- Learning how machinery works
- Repairing equipment
- Making components
- Using essential tools and techniques
- Safety procedures
Take responsibility for the safety of your crewmates, whether that’s identifying a potential threat, or ensuring your ship can defend itself.
Maintain and operate complex communication, sensor and weapon systems, guaranteeing missiles, guns and anti-submarine torpedoes are fully operational.
Get a hold of some of the most sophisticated electronic equipment in existence, working with your team, and under the guidance of the Weapon Engineer Officer.
Complete daily rounds, checking equipment to ensure the ship remains operational, and finding innovative solutions when there’s a problem.
Future Prospects
- You’ll start your naval career as a Probationary Leading Hand. With experience and further training, you could be promoted to Petty Officer and beyond
- If you show the right commitment, skills and academic ability, you could become a Commissioned Officer
- Members of the Royal Navy are promoted on merit. Work hard and you can rise through the ranks
Reality Check
There are many benefits of undertaking an Apprenticeship within the Royal Navy, such as:
Start on a salary of over £33,000. As your career progresses you have the potential to earn in excess of £51,000
- An excellent non-contributory pension scheme – we pay into it for you, so you don’t have to sacrifice any salary
- Six weeks of paid holiday every year
- Free medical and dental care
- Amazing opportunities, including world travel and adventurous training for two weeks every year
- Free gym and sports, from football to kayaking to kitesurfing
- Forces Help to Buy scheme – a 0% loan to get you on, or further up, the housing ladder
- Subsidised travel, accommodation and food
- Handy discounts with lots of top brands, from Marriott hotels to Audi cars and high street stores
The Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage guide (ANMW): https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates
Skills Required
The Royal Navy will give you skills. We’ll develop your abilities, train you to be the best, show you how to achieve your goals and give you recognised qualifications.
Qualities Required
- A quick thinker, with a passion for working with the latest equipment and technology
- A problem-solver who can work well as part of a team
- A real sense of adventure, with a high level of physical and mental fitness
- Enthusiasm for fixing and maintaining electronic and mechanical systems
Qualifications Required
A minimum of three GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades C/4 or above, including English Language, mathematics and at least one science.
Plus:
Option 1:
- National Qualifications Framework Level 3 Diploma (with a minimum of a Merit Pass) in an engineering discipline
Or
Option 2:
- At least 48 UCAS points in A-levels (or equivalent) in Mathematics and a STEM subject
Training Provided
At the end of your Apprenticeship training you will have achieved:
Advanced Level Apprenticeship - Engineering Technician comprising of:
- Level 2 Diploma in Maritime Defence (Foundation Competence)
- Level 2 Diploma in Maritime Defence (Foundation Knowledge)
- Level 3 Diploma in Maritime Defence (Development Competence)
- Level 3 Diploma in Maritime Defence (Development Knowledge)
You can also gain academic qualifications such as GCSEs, A-levels, even a degree. As well as helping you develop your Royal Navy career, everything you achieve will be recognised and valued by future civilian employers.