Lifelong Learning

What You’ll Learn:

As a rating or as an officer, much of your training in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary is ‘on the job’, but you’ll also carry out fully funded training to gain Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) certificates in certain jobs. These will both help you develop your career with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and are also recognised by other Merchant Navy employers.

As a rating, you’ll earn a relevant NVQ to at least Level 2 (although this depends on which department you’re in. In Communications you won’t study an NVQ and Deck Ratings follow a Merchant Navy qualification instead). Whatever qualification you take, it will boost your career prospects both within and beyond the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Basic Skills Training:

Like all seafarers, you’ll be trained in fire fighting, sea survival, first aid, personal safety and social responsibilities, all required by the MCA. As an officer, you may have opportunities to gain higher degrees and management qualifications.