Marine Engineering Apprentice
Harwich Haven Authority
HARWICH (CO12 3HH)
Closes in 11 days (Sunday 17 May 2026)
Posted on 6 May 2026
Contents
Summary
Level 3 Marine Engineering Apprenticeship, delivered in partnership with South Essex College.
Years 1–3: Weekly day release to South Essex College (Luckyn Lane Campus) alongside workplace learning
Year 4: Full-time workplace-based development and consolidation of skills
- Wage
-
£28,453 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
4-year Fixed-term Apprenticeship
- Training course
- Marine engineer (level 3)
- Hours
-
8:00 - 4:30 Monday to Friday.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 1 July 2026
- Duration
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4 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Working as part of the Marine Engineering team, you will:
- Support the maintenance, repair, and servicing of vessels, plant, and equipment
- Assist with routine inspections and planned maintenance activities
- Learn to identify and resolve faults under supervision
- Work alongside engineers on engine rebuilds, installations, and sea trials
- Contribute to workshop and onboard vessel activities
- Maintain tools and equipment and report any deficiencies
- Assist with general tasks including stores support, housekeeping, and vessel preparation
- Operate equipment such as forklifts and vehicles where required (subject to training and authorisation)
No two days are the same—you’ll be working across workshop and vessel environments, often outdoors and hands-on.
Where you'll work
HARBOUR HOUSE
THE QUAY
HARWICH
CO12 3HH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SOUTH ESSEX COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
Training course
Marine engineer (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Prepare for meetings and discussions
- Communicate marine engineering principles, concepts and processes relevant to the customer using appropriate listening, questioning, non-verbal communication, recording and presentation techniques
- Use appropriate marine and engineering terminology
- Make recommendations to ensure optimal performance of boats
- Comply with quality, health and safety and environmental regulations
- Prepare the work area in order to conduct marine engineering activities
- Select, use, maintain and store equipment and tools spanners, socket sets, screwdrivers, power tools
- Follow and maintain work procedures, method statements and production records
- Work efficiently and effectively
- Consider sustainability and environmental impacts when making, safety, quality and cost decisions
- Use mathematical techniques, formulae, and calculations in marine engineering processes
- Design layout of marine system or component
- Interpret designer’s plans and engineering data, drawings and documentation
- Finalise time and cost of the work to be done
- Select/ maintain/ store appropriate equipment and materials
- Select/make/use appropriate engineering jigs, templates and tooling
- Select and use calibrated and measuring engineering tools
- Select, source and use a variety of precision data charts and reference tables
- Practical and safe use of tools, materials and equipment
- Safe uses of jigs, templates and tooling
- Measure and mark out to carry out precision machining and hand fitting processes
- Use hand tools to cut, drill, shape and finish components to tolerances
- Move components using appropriate safe methods and equipment
- Assemble, remove, overhaul and refit marine engineering components, sub-assemblies and systems using appropriate machinery, equipment, tools and materials
- Check/inspect components for robustness, fit and tolerances
- Shape, fabricate, manipulate and precision alignment of marine engineering components and materials to accepted tolerances
- Conduct/undertake planned or routine maintenance to required specification
- Check/test/diagnose marine engineering components to company and manufacturing standards
- Complete required organisational and manufacturer’s documentation
- Apply safety and social responsibility practices when working at sea
- Check installation meets required operational standards and is free from defects
- Commission and test systems
- Complete necessary documentation and company protocols
- Undertake basic crew roles
Training schedule
This is a Level 3 Marine Engineering Apprenticeship, delivered in partnership with South Essex College.
Off-the-job training will take place one day per week at the South Essex College Luckyn Lane Campus, where you will study towards the Maritime Engineering Technician Apprenticeship standard.
The remainder of your time will be spent gaining practical, hands-on experience within Harwich Haven Authority’s Marine Engineering team.
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- technical
Other requirements
GCSE Grade 4 (or equivalent) in English and Maths (or willingness to achieve alongside the apprenticeship)
Minimum age of 18 (due to health and safety requirements)
Ability to pass an ENG1 medical examination
Full UK driving licence (or working towards)
Ability to work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays when required
About this employer
As one of the UK’s most strategically important deep water channels, we safely and efficiently guide some of the largest container ships in the world into the Port of Felixstowe and surrounding ports. Every day, our work enables global trade to flow smoothly through one of the busiest and most critical shipping gateways in Europe.
http://www.hha.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Generous benefits package, including; BUPA Medicash Pension Medicash Free parking Buy/Sell Annual Leave
After this apprenticeship
Marine Engineering Technician.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SOUTH ESSEX COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
recruitment@hha.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000030159.
Apply now
Closes in 11 days (Sunday 17 May 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.