Engine Rating Trainee
As an Engine Rating you will work on the day-to-day monitoring and maintenance of the engines and equipment in the engine room, as well as maintenance activities elsewhere on the ship. You will also be involved in repairing and fitting new or refurbished parts under direction of engineering officers.
I wanted an active role away from an office and have always had an interest in mechanics and the way things worked. I did think about training to be an engineer when I was younger, but I was shy and thought that going into a male dominated role was a no go. I was nervous joining the vessel, but it’s been amazing, I get lots of support and everyone is really nice.
Lauren Moore, 24
Engine Rating Trainee
Role overview
- Reports to: Chief Engineer
- Start date: September each year
- Salary: begins at £22,641
- Location: City of Glasgow College (term-time) and Western Isles fleet (sea-time)
- Course duration: approximately 18-20 months
- Shift pattern: two weeks on, two weeks off
- Application close: 5pm on Monday 17 March 2025
Please note: Applications open at 9am on Monday 3 March and closes at 5pm on Monday 17 March 2025
You will undertake a course of study and gain sufficient skills and experience leading to the award of:
- Engine Room Watch Rating Certificate in accordance with STCW III/4
- Intention to progress to STCW III/5 Able Seafarer Engine Certification.
I have now worked on MV Lord of the Isles and MV Isle of Arran, everybody was very welcoming and helpful. A typical day would start doing daily checks in the engine room, and shadowing crew until your shift ends and you have free time. Once the vessel is berthed, you can get off and go for walk, you don’t have to be on board for the entire two weeks. I’d recommend others to apply here.
Ben Eardley, 25, Greenock
Engine Rating Trainee
My typical day on board starts with checking oil levels, working with a lot of valves, checking bilges to make sure that the levels are ok. I was recently trusted by the engineers to do some welding jobs, which was brilliant, it made me look forward to coming to work so much more. This role is really fulfilling, and I’d love to stay with CalMac and become an engineer.
Angus Murray, 18, Stornoway
Engine Rating Trainee
Key tasks and principal accountabilities
- Complete training tasks as described in the MNTB Engine Rating & Able Seafarer Engine Training Record Book, obtaining the relevant progression signatures as required
- Carry out duties as required of a rating forming part on an engine room watch
- Take personal emergency action on board a vessel
- Assist with maintenance of vessel mechanical equipment (under supervision)
- Assist with general maintenance routines as directed by the Second Engineer
- Duties as required by the muster list in an emergency (no direct responsibility)
- Watchkeeping duties (under supervision) in order to gain experience leading to the award of an Engine Room Watch Rating Certificate
- Any other duties as required for the safe operation and general upkeep of the vessel's machinery spaces
- Attend allocated college courses in accordance with the schedule set by the company and/or the college.
To diligently study to ensure a high level of understanding and knowledge of topics required for the award of:
- Personal Survival Techniques (PST) Certificate in accordance with STCW A-VI/1-1
- Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting Certificate in accordance with STCW A-VI/1-2
- Elementary First Aid Certificate in accordance with STCW A-VI/1-3
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) Certificate in accordance with STCW A-VI/1-4
- Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (CPSC) in accordance with STCW A-VI/1-2.
It was a bit of a challenge being back studying, but it has come naturally. College is really good, and the lecturers are very nice, we have been doing things like being out on the rescue boat, which is not something I ever thought I would do. I would advise anyone to go for it, it’s a great opportunity, you can see parts of the country that you wouldn’t usually get to see.
Ffion Skinner, 24, Largs
Engine Rating Trainee