At a Glance
- Tasks: Gain hands-on experience in maritime engineering while supporting vital operations at sea.
- Company: Join a top international employer with a supportive culture and clear development opportunities.
- Benefits: Earn a recognised qualification, receive mentoring, and enjoy career progression.
- Other info: Willingness to travel and spend time away from home is essential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities and national infrastructure while developing practical skills.
- Qualifications: Must be 18+, have 4 GCSEs at grade C or above, and a passion for maritime engineering.
The predicted salary is between 19350 - 23650 £ per year.
Ready to impact a better future? As a Small Vessel Chief Engineer Apprenticeship in our Maritime team, you'll gain hands‑on experience while working towards a recognised engineering qualification, contributing to vital maritime operations that support national infrastructure and defence. This is a unique opportunity to build a long‑term career at sea, developing practical engineering skills while supporting the operation and maintenance of specialist vessels. Your work will play a key role in ensuring safe and effective maritime services that have a positive impact on communities and national operations.
What you'll do as a Small Vessel Chief Engineer Apprenticeship:
- Undertake training and sea service to achieve a Small Vessel Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency
- Support vessel crews in port operations and during sea passages, including watchkeeping duties day and night
- Assist with planned and unplanned maintenance on mechanical and electrical systems, including work during dry dockings and refits
- Complete academic study at Fleetwood Nautical Campus alongside practical on‑the‑job training
- Support inspections and surveys, building knowledge of maritime regulations and compliance requirements
- Develop the skills to respond to onboard emergency situations including fire and sea survival scenarios
Does this sound like you? You'll be a great fit for this role if you:
- Are 18+ years old
- Have minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent), including Mathematics, English and Science
- Have Clearance and meet UK citizenship requirements
- Eligibility to gain an ENG1 Unrestricted Medical Certificate, including eyesight standards
- Have a genuine interest in maritime engineering and a commitment to learning and development
- Have a willingness to travel and spend periods away from home for training and sea service
Discover all you need to keep growing. We're one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you'll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we're proud to offer clear development opportunities - and the support and tools to help you seize them.
Small Vessel Chief Engineer Apprentice employer: Serco Limited
Serco Limited is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Waterlooville where innovation meets national security. With a strong focus on employee development through comprehensive training programs and a generous benefits package including 25 days of holiday and a contributory pension scheme, Serco fosters a culture of collaboration and growth, making it an ideal place for Electronics & Hardware Engineers to thrive and contribute meaningfully to defence technology.
