Marine Electrician Apprentice

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION

Poole (BH15 1HZ)

Closes in 26 days (Monday 9 March 2026)

Posted on 9 February 2026

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Contents

Summary

This is an exceptional opportunity for four highly motivated individuals to undertake a four-year apprenticeship at the All-weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) in Poole, commencing in September 2026. Our apprentices work alongside experienced Technicians on all classes of Lifeboat and associated plant.

Wage

£14,622 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£14,622 with yearly increments throughout (our salaries are currently under review and will be updated accordingly)

Training course
Marine electrician (level 3)
Hours
Full-time - details at interview

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

3 years 6 months

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

We are currently seeking four apprentices across two different trades (marine electrical and boat building), but you are only required to complete one application form indicating which trade(s) you would like to be considered for in order of preference. During the four-year programme, you will work towards completing the new style standards-based apprenticeship. You will attend Bournemouth & Poole College for your off-the-job training. During your apprenticeship you will learn about assembling, installing, repairing, modifying, diagnosing, and maintaining all types of electrical equipment and systems.

Where you'll work

RNLI
West Quay Road
Poole
BH15 1HZ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE, THE

Training course

Marine electrician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Prepare for and contribute to meetings and hold discussions. Use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques and marine terminology to aid effective interactions with colleagues, customers, contractors, suppliers and others, to achieve required marine electrical and electronic task outcomes.
  • Make recommendations to customers and other interested parties to ensure optimal compliance and performance of marine electrical and electronic equipment and systems, that meet customer requirements. Apply appropriate customer service principles and techniques. Meet customer needs (internal and external) and deliver required customer service in accordance with organisational policy and processes when undertaking a marine electrical and electronic work role.
  • Maintain the safety of self along with others by following safe systems of work when conducting marine electrical and electronic work operations. Identify and comply with all relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice and other relevant information and guidance when planning and performing marine electrical and electronic work operations.
  • Consider sustainability and environmental impacts and apply environmental best practice when planning and performing marine electrical and electronic work operations.
  • Follow approved industry guidance and techniques, and operational work methods, practices, processes, principles, and procedures when undertaking the different marine electrical and electronic work operations, within required time frames.
  • Select, use, maintain, and store appropriate resources safely and correctly (tools, equipment, machinery and consumables).
  • Design, plan and set up to produce and install marine electrical and electronic systems including assemblies and sub-assemblies from marine electrical engineering drawings, electrical formulae and technical specifications in the correct manner (This will typically include design of electrical panels, power distribution requirements and best use of available space), ensuring the necessary resources are selected.
  • Follow quality improvement principles, techniques, and methods and identify any areas for improvement.
  • Use various wiring support mechanisms and systems to route and secure cables in accordance with regulations and best practice and install cables using appropriate segregation and separation methods, in accordance with required specifications in relation to positioning bulkhead penetration.
  • Conduct required tests and checks when performing work operations on different marine electrical and electronic systems.
  • Restore work area to a safe and tidy condition in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
  • Complete relevant records and documentation relevant to marine electrical and electronic systems, in accordance with organisational documentation and any other relevant information and guidance.
  • Install, position and secure marine electrical and electronic equipment and components (propulsion, navigational, safety, domestic, operational, generation, communication, audio visual and IT, protection and ancillary systems) in accordance with design specification and following all required steps and checks for the approved work operation process and operational standards.
  • Support commission and system tests in accordance with the manufacturer's design specification, company best practice and processes and perform basic crew roles.
  • Check, test, and diagnose marine electrical and electronic equipment and components in boats to company and marine standards, using appropriate company and marine standards and other relevant documentation.
  • Power down, remove, repair and reuse or replace electrical and electronic equipment, circuits and cables. Lockout and tagout electrical and electronic equipment, circuits and cables.
  • Dispose of waste materials, in accordance with safe working and environmental practices and approved procedures.
  • Carry out required modifications and rewiring using approved materials and techniques, adhering to required specifications and instructions.
  • Fit required new marine electrical and electronic equipment adhering to best practice.
  • Perform routine servicing in the specified sequence using appropriate techniques and procedures.
  • Deal with any problems that may present themselves within their own area of responsibility.
  • Check, test, and diagnose battery condition and alternating current (ac) power systems and record results.
  • Prepare for and contribute to meetings and hold discussions. Use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques and marine terminology to aid effective interactions with colleagues, customers, contractors, suppliers and others, to achieve required marine electrical and electronic task outcomes.
  • Make recommendations to customers and other interested parties to ensure optimal compliance and performance of marine electrical and electronic equipment and systems, that meet customer requirements. Apply appropriate customer service principles and techniques. Meet customer needs (internal and external) and deliver required customer service in accordance with organisational policy and processes when undertaking a marine electrical and electronic work role.
  • Maintain the safety of self along with others by following safe systems of work when conducting marine electrical and electronic work operations. Identify and comply with all relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice and other relevant information and guidance when planning and performing marine electrical and electronic work operations.
  • Consider sustainability and environmental impacts and apply environmental best practice when planning and performing marine electrical and electronic work operations.
  • Follow approved industry guidance and techniques, and operational work methods, practices, processes, principles, and procedures when undertaking the different marine electrical and electronic work operations, within required time frames.
  • Select, use, maintain, and store appropriate resources safely and correctly (tools, equipment, machinery and consumables).
  • Design, plan and set up to produce and install marine electrical and electronic systems including assemblies and sub-assemblies from marine electrical engineering drawings, electrical formulae and technical specifications in the correct manner (This will typically include design of electrical panels, power distribution requirements and best use of available space), ensuring the necessary resources are selected.
  • Follow quality improvement principles, techniques, and methods and identify any areas for improvement.
  • Use various wiring support mechanisms and systems to route and secure cables in accordance with regulations and best practice and install cables using appropriate segregation and separation methods, in accordance with required specifications in relation to positioning bulkhead penetration.
  • Conduct required tests and checks when performing work operations on different marine electrical and electronic systems.
  • Restore work area to a safe and tidy condition in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
  • Complete relevant records and documentation relevant to marine electrical and electronic systems, in accordance with organisational documentation and any other relevant information and guidance.
  • Install, position and secure marine electrical and electronic equipment and components (propulsion, navigational, safety, domestic, operational, generation, communication, audio visual and IT, protection and ancillary systems) in accordance with design specification and following all required steps and checks for the approved work operation process and operational standards.
  • Support commission and system tests in accordance with the manufacturer's design specification, company best practice and processes and perform basic crew roles.
  • Check, test, and diagnose marine electrical and electronic equipment and components in boats to company and marine standards, using appropriate company and marine standards and other relevant documentation.
  • Power down, remove, repair and reuse or replace electrical and electronic equipment, circuits and cables. Lockout and tagout electrical and electronic equipment, circuits and cables.
  • Dispose of waste materials, in accordance with safe working and environmental practices and approved procedures.
  • Carry out required modifications and rewiring using approved materials and techniques, adhering to required specifications and instructions.
  • Fit required new marine electrical and electronic equipment adhering to best practice.
  • Perform routine servicing in the specified sequence using appropriate techniques and procedures.
  • Deal with any problems that may present themselves within their own area of responsibility.
  • Check, test, and diagnose battery condition and alternating current (ac) power systems and record results.

Training schedule

  • Level 3 Marine Electrical Apprenticeship Standard
  • Block release

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

4 GCSEs including Maths and English (grade 4 or above)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

GCSE Science related subjects (grade 4 or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Positive attitude
  • Team working

Other requirements

If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to attend an initial interview with Bournemouth and Poole College. If successful, you will be invited to a second interview at the RNLI. RNLI interview will be w/c 20th April.

About this employer

Our lifeboat crews and lifeguards need a dedicated, professional, and talented team behind them to give them lifesaving equipment that will stand up to the most ferocious weather around the UK and Ireland. In 2015 we completed the build of the All-weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) in Poole so that we can manufacture and maintain lifeboats to the highest of standards. We have now brought our entire All-weather lifeboat refit activity in house after the success of transferring Shannon Class lifeboat production into the ALC. We now have predictable work for years to come.

Disability Confident

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

Progression withtin the company for the right successful candidate.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE, THE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014113.

Apply now

Closes in 26 days (Monday 9 March 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.