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Portsmouth Naval Base Commander shares inspiring career journey from Royal Navy apprentice to leader of the base
14 February 2025
On National Apprenticeship Week, His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth’s Naval Base Commander, Commodore Marcel Rosenberg, has opened up about his remarkable career journey, starting as a Royal Navy apprentice and raising to one of the most senior roles at the base.
Commodore Marcel Rosenberg’s appointment as Portsmouth Naval Base Commander last year represents a return ‘home’, as he began his naval career on the base in 1988.
His passion for the sea, inspired by his father’s career in the Merchant Navy, led him to choose an apprenticeship in Weapon Engineering with the Royal Navy, where he sought a blend of work and continual education to allow him to start earning a wage whilst learning. By the age of 19, he was already serving on a ship in the Far East, forming lifelong friendships and gaining invaluable skills and hands-on experience.All our journeys are different, but the foundational skills an apprenticeship with the Royal Navy provides will unlock countless opportunities within the service and beyond.
Reflecting on his career, Commodore Rosenberg said: “There is no limit to where an apprenticeship with the Royal Navy can take you.
“All our journeys are different, but the foundational skills an apprenticeship with the Royal Navy provides will unlock countless opportunities within the service and beyond.”
Through his apprenticeship, Commodore Rosenberg was able to build on and translate his school education into practical, essential engineering skills that have been instrumental throughout his whole career and contributed to shape the technological journey of the Royal Navy. These same skills enabled him to undertake a variety of challenging roles all around the world and back home again, to ultimately lead His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth.
In fact, a key benefit of a Royal Navy apprenticeship is the chance to travel the world while acquiring valuable experience and qualifications recognised in civilian sectors, making it an exciting opportunity for those looking to gain new skills whilst fulfilling their sense of adventure.
National Apprenticeship Week, running from 10th to 16th February this year, aims to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals and the wider economy. With its 23 apprenticeships and one of the highest completion rates in the UK, the Royal Navy is rated as a ‘Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer’ as its apprenticeship scheme continues to play a pivotal role in addressing the critical skills shortage across all industries, particularly within the STEM discipline.
For further information or to explore an apprenticeship with the Royal Navy, head to www.royalnavy.mod.uk/apprenticeships.