ABOUT THE COURSE

Do you want to work with the latest electrical engineering technology? Training as an marine electro-technical officer cadet in the UK’s Merchant Navy will offer you the chance to gain valuable academic and practical electrical engineering knowledge and put your specialist skills into practice whilst away at sea on a fully sponsored three-year marine electro-technical officer cadet programme at the world-renowned Warsash Maritime Academy.

Officer cadet training schemes typically last for around three years and are split into five phases which alternate between academic studies, practical experience and safety training at Warsash Maritime Academy and seagoing periods to gain practical shipboard experience.

To enrol on an officer cadet training scheme, candidates apply directly to shipping companies, not through UCAS. This is because officer cadet training is fully sponsored by the shipping company, covering course fees and also providing the means for gaining the mandatory work-based learning on board ship. Cadets will often also receive a small salary or living allowance while they are training.

Marine electro-technical officers take particular responsibility for the maintenance of on board control engineering and electronic systems, including propulsion control, radio communications and electronic navigation aids. During their training at Warsash, METO cadets are taught the necessary academic underpinning knowledge, as well as gaining practical training, providing them with the confidence and know how to maintain a wide range of electrical and electronic equipment to maximise the operational safety and efficiency of the vessel.