Small Vessel Chief Engineer Apprenticeship (Offshore)
SERCO LIMITED
Recruiting nationally
Closes in 27 days (Friday 31 July 2026)
Posted on 3 July 2026
Contents
Summary
We are seeking motivated and enthusiastic apprentices to join our Offshore Operations team.
Working at the frontline of defence support, our offshore vessels operate as global support platforms, delivering essential services to military training activities both in the UK and overseas.
- Wage
-
£19,968 to £31,724.16, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Small vessel chief engineer (level 4)
- Hours
-
Full-Time/48 hours - including sea phases and college-based learning.
48 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 5 October 2026
- Duration
-
5 years
- Positions available
-
2
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
This is a unique apprenticeship where you will undertake the training and sea service required to achieve the qualification needed to eventually serve as a Chief Engineer on board our small vessels.
A Small Vessel Chief Engineer works as a member of the engineering department on board ships, responsible for the safe operation, maintenance, and management of the vessel’s machinery and engineering systems. The role involves overseeing propulsion, electrical, and auxiliary systems; ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements; and carrying out a wide range of technical tasks including fault-finding, repairs, planned maintenance, and supporting inspections and surveys.
The programme combines practical, hands-on experience at sea with structured academic learning. You will gain on-the-job experience by serving on board Serco-operated vessels, alongside periods of study at the Fleetwood Nautical Campus (Blackpool & The Fylde College).
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to successfully complete ongoing assessments, culminating in an End Point Assessment (EPA) with IAMI. On successful completion, you will achieve a Small Vessel Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency (CoC).
You will be supported throughout by experienced crew, providing mentorship, guidance, and hands-on learning opportunities across a wide range of engineering tasks. All required travel and training associated with the apprenticeship will be fully funded by the business.
You’ll be entrusted to:
- Develop and demonstrate competence as a member of the engineering department on assigned vessels
- Undertake academic training at a maritime college, including extended periods away from home, to achieve the MCA Small Vessel Chief Engineer CoC and associated certifications
- Learn and perform engine room watchkeeping duties, both at sea and in port, during day and night operations
- Complete assigned mechanical and electrical workshop training, working safely and responsibly at all times
- Become competent in planned and reactive maintenance, including work on main propulsion systems, auxiliary machinery, and supporting systems
- Assist in dry dockings, refits, statutory inspections, and classification surveys, gaining understanding of relevant rules and regulations
- Undertake mandatory training and demonstrate competence in emergency response, including fire-fighting and sea survival
- Develop a strong working knowledge of company engineering procedures, including record keeping, spare parts management, and safety systems
- Achieve the required sea service within the timeframe set by the Maritime Training Officer
- Consistently demonstrate Serco values and behaviours throughout the apprenticeship
- Comply with the UK Merchant Navy Code of Conduct at all times
- Undertake additional duties and training appropriate to the role as required
Where you'll work
Full-Time/48 hours - including Sea phases and college-based learning.
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
Training course
Small vessel chief engineer (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Take personal emergency action onboard a vessel. [MCA]
- Respond to emergencies onboard a vessel. [MCA]
- Take control of survival craft and rescue boats. [MCA]
- Take charge of an engine room watch. [MCA]
- Prepare and operate vessel propulsion machinery and ancillary systems. [MCA]
- Operate vessel ancillaries and service machinery. [MCA]
- Operate and adjust vessel electrical systems. [MCA]
- Carry out maintenance to vessel electrical machinery and systems. [MCA]
- Carry out maintenance to vessel mechanical machinery and systems. [MCA]
- Maintain personal health, safety and environmental standards onboard a vessel. [MCA]
- Maintain safe, legal and effective working practices onboard a vessel. [MCA]
- Maintain and enhance productive working relationships onboard a vessel. [MCA]
- Identify costs and create a draft budget for sign-off.
- Apply project management techniques.
- Identify, organise, and use resources to complete tasks.
- Diagnose problems. Resolve or escalate problems in line with responsibilities.
- Review work to identify improvements.
- Communicate verbally and in writing with others for example, colleagues and contractors onboard or ashore.
- Complete documentation for example, machinery space logbook and oil record book.
- Write technical reports.
- Use information technology for example, word processing, spreadsheets, email, and presentation.
- Take personal emergency action onboard a vessel. [MCA]
- Respond to emergencies onboard a vessel. [MCA]
- Take control of survival craft and rescue boats. [MCA]
- Take charge of an engine room watch. [MCA]
- Prepare and operate vessel propulsion machinery and ancillary systems. [MCA]
- Operate vessel ancillaries and service machinery. [MCA]
- Operate and adjust vessel electrical systems. [MCA]
- Carry out maintenance to vessel electrical machinery and systems. [MCA]
- Carry out maintenance to vessel mechanical machinery and systems. [MCA]
- Maintain personal health, safety and environmental standards onboard a vessel. [MCA]
- Maintain safe, legal and effective working practices onboard a vessel. [MCA]
- Maintain and enhance productive working relationships onboard a vessel. [MCA]
- Identify costs and create a draft budget for sign-off.
- Apply project management techniques.
- Identify, organise, and use resources to complete tasks.
- Diagnose problems. Resolve or escalate problems in line with responsibilities.
- Review work to identify improvements.
- Communicate verbally and in writing with others for example, colleagues and contractors onboard or ashore.
- Complete documentation for example, machinery space logbook and oil record book.
- Write technical reports.
- Use information technology for example, word processing, spreadsheets, email, and presentation.
Training schedule
Full-Time/48 hours - including sea phases and college-based learning.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade level 4-9)
- Maths (grade Level 4-9)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
About this employer
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
L4 Small Vessel Chief Engineer.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000040558.
Apply now
Closes in 27 days (Friday 31 July 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.