Without the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), the Royal Navy wouldn’t be the force it is. Without its engineers, the RFA wouldn’t be able to provide the operational and logistical support it does. As an Apprentice Engineering Technician, you’ll be doing the essential work that keeps our ships moving. For you, ordinary doesn’t exist. Even the most routine work is challenging and exciting, as you embark on a career that will see you become a world-class engineer.
Apprentice Engineering Technician (RFA)
Learn how our ships work, providing the power that keeps them moving. Without you, vital operations would grind to a halt.
- No qualifications
- Royal Fleet Auxiliary
- Engineering
- Rating level

Role details
- Travel the world as part of a professional engineering team. You could be maintaining your ship’s complex electrical and mechanical equipment one day, or taking part in complex RAS evolutions the next.
- Your role in keeping the ship operational involves ships husbandry, waste management, directed planned maintenance and watchkeeping duties.
- Use your enthusiasm for electrical and mechanical engineering to gain a thorough knowledge of both disciplines, learning from the experienced engineers who will act as your mentors.
- Gain hands-on experience operating and assisting with maintenance on sophisticated electrical and mechanical equipment. From the hull and propulsion systems, to auxiliary and hotel services.
- When you‘re not in the Engine Room, you‘ll have crucial duties to perform as part of the ship's company, including firefighting, first aid, weapons maintenance and being a member of the damage control team.
- £20,500 Starting Salary During Training
- Earned Voyage Leave (EVL) of 7 days for every month spent on board ship
- Membership of an excellent non-contributory pension scheme
- World-class training
- Travel the world
Qualifications you'll gain
- Maritime Mechanical and Electrical Mechanic, Level 2 Diploma, issued by the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education
- Incorporated Functional Skills in Maths and English
- Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Mandatory Seafarer Qualifications (STCWs)
- Merchant Navy Engine Room Watch Rating Certificate of Proficiency
Skills you'll develop
- Learn to maintain and repair a wide range of electronic and mechanical systems
- Become confident working with the most cutting-edge equipment
- Aged at least 17 years 6 months to apply, and 18 years to commence employment. There is no upper age limit
- No qualifications are required for this role
- Must be British or have indefinite leave to remain with 5 years residency in UK. Dual Nationality will be considered providing the first nationality is British. Note: Residency restrictions may apply
- Need to have confidence with jumping into water and the ability to wade whilst wearing a life jacket
- The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for any employment within the MOD if you have been dismissed from a role for unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out
- A passion for the latest technology
- Great at working as part of a team
- A common sense approach to solving mechanical problems
- A sense of adventure
I got sick of doing the 9-5, I wanted a change, something different. As an Engineer Apprentice every day is different, as we serve all the ship’s main systems.
Joining process
From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.
- Register your interest
- Complete your application
- Eligibility
- Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)
- Sift
- Interview
- Training
Start your application
Find your place in the Royal Navy. Make friends for life, learn new skills and experience the world.
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