Accelerated Apprentice Petty Officer (AAPO) Scheme Marine Engineering General Service (MEGS)

Fast track role A high priority role with an accelerated joining process.
Service:Surface Fleet
Branch:Engineering
Level:Rating,Apprenticeship
Technology
Engineering
Mechanics
An Advanced Apprenticeship Air Engineering rating working on Royal Navy kit.
Favourite

At a glance

Sunshine icon.

6 weeks

Of paid holiday every year

Award icon.

Merit

The minimum diploma grade you need

Money icon.

£37,700

Your starting salary

Pound coin icon.

£58,000

Earn over this amount as you progress

Book icon.

Register

Route your way to EngTech and IEng

Graduation cap icon.

Study

Potential for foundation degree

What you’ll do

Joining the Royal Navy on the Accelerated Apprentice Petty Officer (AAPO) Scheme Marine Engineering General Service (MEGS) streamlines your route to life as a world-class marine engineer.

After a condensed training period, it will be your job to make sure our state-of-the-art warships are ready for action. Wherever you are, and whatever the problem, you'll keep us moving. That can mean anything from maintenance in the Engine Room of a Type 45 Destroyer, to providing electricity for a Type 23 Frigate.

If you have questions, talk to us

call us 0345 607 55 55

Your role

  • Be a key part of the immense engineering effort that goes into powering our ships, keeping every operation on track, and making some essential missions possible.
  • Find innovative and resourceful solutions to complex problems, applying the engineering skills and knowledge you gain, in a world where there is no such thing as standard.
  • Get your hands on of some of the most sophisticated equipment on the planet, working with your team, and under the guidance of the Marine Engineer Officer.
  • Complete daily rounds, checking equipment to ensure the ship remains operational. You’ll need to be precise and pay attention to detail, because even the smallest oversight can have a big impact on the rest of the ship
Accelerated Apprenticeship Marine Engineering

What you’ll get

Skills for life

Qualifications you'll gain

  • An Advanced Apprenticeship (level 3) in Engineering Manufacturing

Opportunities open to you  

  • You could work toward a degree like Mechanical  Engineering

Skills you'll develop

  • Use your natural aptitude for fixing things, on a massive scale. 
  • Learn to maintain and operate some of the most cutting-edge kit on the planet and become familiar with a variety of sophisticated mechanical systems. 
  • You could be working on one of our new Type 45 Destroyers or QE Class Aircraft Carriers, the most advanced warships the nation has ever built.
 

What you'll need

Eligibility

  • You need to be aged 17 to 37
  • You must be a United Kingdom national, or Commonwealth citizen, or Dual National. Dual Nationality restrictions do apply
  • Pass the Naval Swimming Test
  • A minimum of three GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4 or above, including English Language, Mathematics and at least one science PLUS:

OPTION 1

  • National Qualifications Framework Level 3 Diploma (with a minimum of a Merit Pass) in an engineering discipline, OR 

OPTION 2

  • At least 48 UCAS points in A-levels (or equivalent) in Mathematics and a STEM subject (minimum grade D or above in each subject)

 

Skills and interests

  • A quick thinker, with a passion for working with the latest equipment and technology
  • A problem-solver who can work well as part of a team
  • A real sense of adventure, with a high level of physical and mental fitness
  • Enthusiasm for fixing and maintaining electronic and mechanical systems

 

Check Eligibility

Starting your career

Joining process

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, the joining process is as follows:

  • Submit an application

    Once you’ve registered your interest and have satisfied the basic eligibility criteria, you will be sent an online application form

  • Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)

    You’ll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
    To prepare, you can practise the DAA

  • Interview

    A formal interview to talk through your suitability for the role. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform

  • Medical and eye tests

    These are quite comprehensive and must be completed by one of our Ministry of Defence-approved doctors

  • Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT)

    This involves completing a 2.4km run on a treadmill within a certain time, at a fitness centre near you

  • Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)

    This four-day induction to life in the Royal Navy, including a Swimming Test and a fitness assessment, is a pass or fail course

  • Start training

    Once you’ve passed a Security Check, you’ll be offered a place at HMS Raleigh

more about the joining process

Find out more

Initial training

Your Royal Navy career begins with 10 weeks’ basic training at HMS Raleigh, a shore base in Torpoint, Cornwall. The discipline, teamwork, organisational, firefighting and weapon handling skills you learn here will stay with you right through your career.

Aim to get yourself as fit as possible before you arrive. You’ll be doing a lot of physical exercise, and you’ll find it much easier if you’re already in shape.

There's also a swimming test, so if you can't swim, make sure you learn by the time you join us.

more about initial training

Find out more

Professional training

You’ll be embarking on one of the world’s top apprenticeship schemes, which means training will be a constant feature of your time with us. As well as helping you develop your Royal Navy career, everything you achieve will be valued by a future civilian employer. It will also be recognised by Professional Institutions, so you can take a streamlined route to registering as an EngTech or an IEng.

Once you have the essential military and maritime skills under your belt, you’ll undertake marine engineering training at HMS Sultan, focussing on:

  • Learning how machinery works

  • Repairing equipment

  • Making components

  • Using essential tools and techniques
  • Safety procedures

more about professional training

Find out more

Start my application
Tell me more
Call 0345 607 55 55
Find your local AFCO

Need more information?

Recommended roles

Mine Clearance Diver

Join us

Qualified Supply Chain Operative (MJDI Qualified)

Join us

Royal Marines Bugler

Join us

Qualified Seamanship Specialist (RFA)

Join us