Responsibilities
- Our world-class training means you’ll learn all the ins and outs of running a highly efficient commercial kitchen, including responsibility for ordering, receiving, and accounting for provisions to sustain the menus you’ll write, as well as learning how to offer the highest level of premium front of house experience and the behind the scenes organisation that enables it
- Be part of the team whose role is about a lot more than just food. Your crewmates, at all levels, look forward to mealtimes, so you’ll be responsible for maintaining their high morale and wellbeing
- Learn additional, crucial skills: you’ll become a highly trained, efficient submariner capable of firefighting, delivering first aid and, if it calls for it, driving the boat itself
Future Prospects
You’ll start your naval career as an Able Rate. With experience and further training, you could be promoted to Leading Hand 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
Training and development continues throughout your career with the Royal Navy. It takes place in two distinct environments: at onshore training facilities and on-board operational submarines. When you join you complete 10 weeks of basic naval training, followed by 27 weeks of role-specific training, focussing on:
- Different styles of catering to match the diverse requirements of the job
- Food hygiene
- Health and safety
- Catering accountancy
- Stock control
After successfully completing your professional training, you will stay another four months at HMS Raleigh in the Submarine School. You’ll learn about submarine operations, including warfare, weapons, nuclear propulsion and escape training, and go to sea in a submarine. After this, there’ll be a test to check your knowledge. When you pass, you’ll earn your ‘Dolphins’ – the coveted badge of a qualified Submariner. There are many benefits of undertaking an Apprenticeship within the Royal Navy, such as:
- Start on a salary of over £15,600, rising to £20,000 on completion of your role specific training. As your career progresses you have the potential to earn in excess of £51,000
- A £5,000 bonus for earning your 'Dolphins', the mark of the Submarine Service
- Additional Submariner pay each day at sea when fully qualified
- An excellent pension scheme
- Six weeks of paid holiday every year
- Free medical and dental care
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 keen interest in high standards of food and hospitality
- A cool head for the pressures of a busy kitchen
- A problem-solver, with a commonsense approach, who can work well as part of a team
- A real sense of adventure, with a high level of physical and mental fitness
To be a successful Royal Navy Caterer, you’ll need commitment, enthusiasm and the desire to consistently produce great food. Conditions are hot, busy, and pressured, so you need to be well organised and a real team player.
Qualifications Required
No qualifications required – just that you pass a Recruit Test and are in a good state of health and fitness.
Training Provided
At the end of your Apprenticeship training you will have achieved:
- Level 2 Apprenticeship – Production Chef
- Foundation Food Hygiene Certificate
- Health and Safety Certificate
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.
