The Level 3 Marine Engineer, and the 8 providers delivering it.
Design and oversee testing installation and repair of marine apparatus and equipment.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Marine engineers at this level learn to design, install, test, and repair the mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems found on vessels and marine structures. Training covers fault diagnosis, planned maintenance, engineering drawings, and safe working practices in marine environments. Apprentices develop skills in working with propulsion systems, pumps, pipework, and deck machinery, alongside an understanding of relevant maritime regulations and quality standards. The programme blends off-the-job technical training with hands-on workplace experience.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Typical work involves carrying out scheduled maintenance and breakdown repairs on vessel systems, reading technical drawings, and using hand and power tools alongside diagnostic equipment. Apprentices assist with the installation of new equipment, complete job sheets and maintenance logs, and follow safety procedures including permit-to-work systems. They work closely with senior engineers, vessel operators, and sometimes classification surveyors, depending on the employer's area of operation.
Career outlook
Completing this apprenticeship opens roles such as marine engineer, maintenance engineer, or marine technician across a range of employers, including shipyards, vessel operators, port authorities, offshore energy companies, and the Royal Navy or other defence organisations. With experience, engineers can progress to supervisory or project engineer positions, or specialise in areas such as offshore systems, naval architecture support, or marine electrical engineering. Chartered engineer status through bodies such as the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology is a longer-term goal for those who continue their development.
Top providers by achievement rate
View the full Marine Engineer provider ranking
Official 2024/25 achievement rates for Marine Engineer, published by the Department for Education. Learner numbers shown - providers with fewer than 30 leavers are listed separately. Only one provider has enough 2024/25 data to be ranked for this standard, so this is a short table rather than a competitive field. The DfE rounds achievement and leaver counts to the nearest 10, so a rate marked * is approximate and the true figure may be lower. How this table works
| # | Provider | Achievement rate | Pass rate | Learners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | National average for this standard(90 leavers nationally) | 62.5% | ||
| 1 | 52.2%-10.3 | 100% | 50 | |
| – | South Hampshire College Group few learners | 100% | 100% | 10 |
| – | Bournemouth & Poole College few learners | 93.3% | 100% | 20 |
| – | The Isle of Wight College few learners | 85.7% | 100% | 10 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Department for Education, apprenticeship national achievement rate tables, 2024/25. Rankings are compiled by FATP and are not endorsed by the DfE. Providers with DfE-suppressed data (very few learners) are not shown.
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completing this apprenticeship typically leads into roles such as Marine Engineer Technician, Junior Marine Engineer, or Vessel Systems Engineer. Depending on the employer's specialisation, completers may step into shipboard engineering positions, shore-based maintenance roles, or dockyard service technician posts. Some move directly into technical support functions, working on propulsion systems, electrical installations, or hull and deck machinery within a vessel operator or marine engineering contractor.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, many engineers advance to Marine Engineer (fully qualified), Lead Technician, or Systems Engineer roles with broader responsibility for a vessel or fleet. From there, two tracks typically open up: a leadership path towards Marine Engineering Superintendent or Chief Engineer, and a specialist track focusing on areas such as propulsion systems, marine electrical engineering, or offshore equipment. Both tracks can lead to Chartered Engineer status through the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).
Where these roles sit
The Royal Navy and other armed services are significant employers, alongside commercial shipping companies, ferry and passenger vessel operators, and offshore energy contractors working in oil, gas, and renewables. Dockyard operators, ship repair yards, and marine equipment manufacturers also recruit at this level. Roles exist across the UK but concentrate around major ports and coastal hubs such as Portsmouth, Southampton, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. Both public sector and private sector opportunities are available.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Learning takes place in a real workplace, with the apprentice developing knowledge, skills and behaviours relevant to marine engineering throughout the programme. Before moving to final assessment, the apprentice and their employer confirm readiness through a gateway review, which checks that the required level of competence has been achieved. Final assessment then confirms whether the apprentice can perform the role to the standard expected, covering areas such as installation, testing, and repair of marine apparatus and equipment. Assessment models across many standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Building a strong body of evidence from real work throughout the programme makes final assessment considerably more straightforward. Apprentices should keep records of the tasks they carry out, the decisions they make, and how they apply their technical knowledge on the job, rather than trying to reconstruct this near the end. Working closely with both the employer and the training provider to track progress against the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the standard will help identify any gaps early and give enough time to address them before the gateway review.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Look for providers with achievement rates above 65% on their FATP profile; above 75% is a strong signal for a technically demanding standard like this. Employer satisfaction scores matter here because marine engineering training depends heavily on coordinated off-the-job learning alongside real vessel or workshop time. Providers worth considering can demonstrate access to current marine equipment, relevant safety certifications (STCW awareness where applicable), and tutors with recent industry experience. Check whether the provider covers your region and has active employer partnerships with shipyards, ports, or marine service businesses.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious of providers with high apprentice volumes but declining achievement rates, which can signal overstretched delivery teams. Vague answers about where practical training takes place are a serious concern for this standard; workshop and vessel access is not optional. If a provider cannot point to alumni working in marine engineering roles or cannot describe how they coordinate with employers on practical assessment, that is a problem. Generic engineering delivery without marine-specific content, equipment, or assessor experience suggests the provider may be retrofitting a broader programme.
Questions to ask before you commit
- What marine-specific equipment and facilities do apprentices have access to during off-the-job training?
- Who delivers the technical content, and what is their background in marine engineering?
- How do you coordinate with employers to align on-the-job experience with the knowledge and skills in the standard?
- What is your current achievement rate for this standard, and how has it trended over the last two years?
- How many apprentices are you currently delivering this standard to, and what does a typical cohort look like?
- How do you handle the end-point assessment, and what support do apprentices receive in the run-up to it?
- Can you connect us with employers or former apprentices who have completed this standard with you?
Common questions
What entry requirements do employers typically set for a Marine Engineer apprenticeship?
Most employers ask for GCSEs in maths and English, often at grade 4 or above, along with a science subject. Some look for prior practical or technical experience, though this is at the employer's discretion. Apprentices must be employed for the duration, so having a job offer in place before applying is essential. Eligibility rules can vary by employer and training provider, so check directly with them.
How long does a Marine Engineer apprenticeship take and how is learning structured?
The typical duration is 42 months. Apprentices work for their employer throughout, gaining hands-on experience alongside structured off-the-job learning, which may include college attendance, workshops, or online study. The exact split between on-the-job and off-the-job training is subject to revision under current Skills England reforms. For the current specification, check the gov.uk page for this standard.
How is a Marine Engineer apprentice assessed at the end?
Apprentices must pass through a gateway before end-point assessment, which means their employer and training provider confirm they have met all required knowledge, skills, and behaviours. The end-point assessment then tests competence, typically through practical and knowledge-based elements. Assessment models for many standards are being updated under ongoing reforms, so check the current assessment plan on gov.uk to confirm the exact methods that apply.
How does an employer pay for a Marine Engineer apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £27,000, which is the maximum government contribution towards training costs. Larger employers with an apprenticeship levy account use those funds directly. Smaller employers co-invest with the government, contributing a percentage of training costs. Employers with fewer than 50 staff taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 may pay nothing at all. Speak to a training provider to confirm current co-investment rates.
What does a Marine Engineer apprentice actually do day to day?
Day-to-day work typically involves maintaining, repairing, and installing marine machinery and equipment, whether on vessels, in ports, or at maintenance facilities. Apprentices might inspect propulsion systems, electrical components, or hydraulic equipment, diagnose faults, and carry out planned servicing. They work under supervision initially, gradually taking on more responsibility as their competence develops. Employer types include shipbuilders, vessel operators, naval contractors, and marine maintenance firms.
What can a Marine Engineer apprentice do after completing this apprenticeship?
Completing this apprenticeship can open routes into senior engineering roles, team leadership, or supervisory positions within the marine sector. Some move into specialist areas such as marine electrical systems or offshore engineering. Others progress to higher-level apprenticeships or engineering qualifications at levels 4 and above. Professional registration with an engineering institution, such as the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, is also a recognised next step for those building a long-term career.
8 approved providers
Providers with a published achievement rate for this standard first, highest rate at the top. Providers without a published rate for this standard follow.
Bournemouth & Poole College delivers a broad apprenticeship offer alongside vocational, T Level, deg...
Fareham College, part of South Hampshire College Group, is described as an outstanding provider of c...
The Isle of Wight College is a further and higher education college established in 1951 that provide...
South Devon College is a further and higher education provider offering a wide range of apprenticesh...
Cornwall College, part of The Cornwall College Group, is an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ further education p...
City College Plymouth is a further education college offering a wide range of apprenticeship and voc...
Cornwall Marine Network is a private, not‑for‑profit membership organisation that supports the marin...
South Essex College, part of South Essex Colleges Group, is a further and higher education provider ...
Not sure which provider fits?
Tell us a bit about your team and we'll send a shortlist.
Need help choosing a provider?
Tell us your requirements and we'll match you with the right training providers.
Weighing up more than one standard? Take the two-minute assessment and we'll match standards and providers to your team.
Is an apprenticeship the right route?
Not always. An apprenticeship funds 12-24 months of structured, assessed learning for someone in a role. If you need a skill in weeks, are training someone already senior, or the person is not on your payroll, a short commercial course can be the better instrument. When to choose an apprenticeship and when to choose a course.
Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor.
Data updated 7 Sept 2026Written guidance reviewed
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England standards and funding bands, Ofsted inspection reports, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 226.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.