Marine Engineer Training Group (METG) - Pillar Block and Brunel Annex

Marine engineers Training Pillar Block and the adjacent Brunel Annex is the home of the Marine Engineering Training Group (METG). The group is responsible for managing the training, administration and divisional care of the personnel undertaking the various core career training courses for Marine Engineers joining both ships and submarines. 

Officers Training

On completion of Officer Training at Britannia Royal Naval College, all Marine Engineer Officers complete the ME Systems Engineering and Management Course (SEMC) which takes approximately 18 months. The primary purpose of this course is to train Marine Engineer Officers to the requisite high standards in preparation for their first complement appointment in ships and submarines. SEMC comprises of 3 phases: Phase 1 is technical training at HMS Sultan; Phase 2 is spent at sea as an AMEO; Phase 3 includes Engineering Admin modules back at HMS Sultan. Training is also provided for Foreign and Commonwealth Naval Officers on either the RN SEMC or Canadian Forces SEMC.  REME Officers also complete an element of their specialist training on site; a 9 week Military Systems Engineering Course (Land). In addition, a number of short courses are administered, e.g. all 'Designate' courses, such as the Nuclear and General Service MEO (Desig) courses, the Commanding Officer (Desig) course, the XO (Desig) course, the WEO (Desig), Advanced Logistic Officer course and PWO Technical Course.

Engineering Technician Initial Career Courses

Having completed 9 weeks basic training at HMS Raleigh, Engineering Technicians join HMS Sultan to conduct their specialist Marine Engineering training.  Engineering Technician Initial Career Course (ETICC) includes modules in electrical theory, diesel generators, gas turbines, refrigeration, hydraulics, craft and Key Skills as well as PT, leadership and adventurous training.  ETICC is an 18 week course for both ET(ME) General Service and Submariners.  RFA Engineering Technicians are fully integrated within ETICC and conduct their specialised engineering training at HMS Sultan with the ET(ME)s.

Engineering Technician Qualifying Courses

On completion of initial sea draft(s), ET(ME)s return to METG to undertake the common Leading Engineering Technician Qualifying Course (LETQC).  This is a 41 week course where ET(ME)1s will learn advanced technical knowledge and leadership theory including the Leading Rates Leadership Course (LRLC). These courses qualify them to be advanced to Leading Hand and prepare them for subsequent employment as a Leading Engineering Technician.  Those continuing a career in Submarines remain at HMS Sultan to complete Systems Course which is a further 14 weeks.  Having completed time at sea and the NVQ level 3 Electrical Installation and Maintenance taskbook, the Leading Engineering Technicians return to METG for the Petty Officer Engineering Technician Qualifying Course (POETQC).  These courses include the Senior Rates Leadership Course (SRLC) and last 41 weeks. Senior Ratings on this course have the option to compete further modules at HMS Sultan to be awarded the Foundation Degree.  On completion, they are eligible to be promoted to Petty Officer and able to undertake specialised employment to consolidate their newly acquired skills.  In addition to the ETICC, LETQC and POETQC, METG administers Chief Petty Officer and Warrant Officer qualifying courses.  RFA Engineering Technicians conduct engineering training on site and are integrated within LETQC, learning alongside the LET(ME)s.  RLC Army Marine Engineers and REME Army Shipwright Phase 2 and Phase 3 courses are also managed by METG.