Institution news
HMS Sultan welcomes over 1,200 trainees at any one time. The trainees include apprentice marine and submarine engineers and air engineers as well as more senior Petty Officers and Chief Petty Officers and commissioned officers.
The emphasis from government on growing the capability of the Royal Navy has meant thinking in new and innovative ways to recruit and retain the best engineering talent. Captain Peter Towell, Commanding Officer of HMS Sultan, is clear about the challenge:
“The training that we deliver at HMS Sultan continues to evolve to ensure that we are not only capable of maintaining new equipment and technology, but also so that we empower our engineers and technicians.”
“At the root of the learner’s experience, we now place a greater emphasis on the importance of ‘hands on’ training which equips even our newest recruits with the skills and confidence necessary to take on extra levels of responsibilities at sea. “
“For those with the drive and ambition, we have introduced a number of ‘fast-track’ engineering schemes which offer the opportunity for accelerated career progression. In addition we recently celebrated the Pass Out of our first trainees on the Direct Entry petty Officer Technician scheme, a course made up of experienced engineers from across industry who have undertaken specialist military training to fully integrate them within the Royal Navy at a higher level of rank and responsibility than that of a typical trainee, and we are piloting a new accelerated apprenticeship scheme for UTC graduates.”
“Throughout their time within the Royal Navy all of our engineers and technicians are offered the opportunity to acquire recognised qualifications and professional accreditation.”
The Institution has been working closely with the Royal Navy since 2010, when it signed a Memorandum of Understanding and launched a Specially Authorised Process (SAP) for Royal Navy applicants. This arrangement with the marine engineers and the Fleet Air Arm means that the training and formation of Royal Navy apprentices, technicians and engineers is fully mapped to the Engineering Council competence framework (UK SPEC) so that when individuals meet the career trigger points in the agreement, they need to complete a shortened application form. Interviews for IEng and CEng are carried out by Royal Navy personnel and interest in professional registration is gaining ground all the time.
At the most recent ceremonial division on 31 March, the Institution presented its inaugural prize to the Petty Officer with the highest academic results for 2016, Francis Henry. This annual award aims to recognise the achievements of students on this technically demanding course – both from the surface fleet and submariners. The first submariner will receive their award in August 2017.
Petty Officers on surface ships and submarines are section heads, which means that they are responsible for the engineering and management of millions of pounds worth of equipment. As section heads they could be in charge of the main propulsion system, the control systems, the weapons or the services including refrigeration, sewage and water.
Francis Henry explains: “There are six or seven Petty Officers on a ship and each one is responsible for a Leading Hand, who is a senior technician, and three engineering technicians. In a previous role I was responsible for all the fridges and the chilled water plants which cooled all the electrics and maintained the ship’s habitability. This is crucial when we are in the Gulf, for example, where temperatures on the upper deck reach 50°C. We did have an issue where sea crustaceans were building up within the system and blocking the inflow. Once I had diagnosed the problem I had to make sure that it was cleared out regularly to ensure the chilled water plant kept working.
“I have enjoyed all the training. There is something new every day, especially on a ship, as no two ships will experience the same problem. My first ship was a Type 42 Destroyer which was all mechanical. My second ship was a new Type 45 which is a computerised ship and a complete eye-opener.“
Francis is currently instructing the new intake of engineering technicians who are straight out of their basic training. “The training you get in the Navy is second to none. Everyone is given the same chance to succeed. The Navy takes people and moulds them into a different individual. Whatever their starting point in terms of practical and academic ability, everyone comes to the same point.”
Francis has now been selected to be an officer and his next step will be to study full time for his Engineering Degree – a one year top up course from his current Foundation Degree. From there he will go on to officer training at Dartmouth. He adds:
“With the Navy if you want a different challenge and you have the commitment you just need to put yourself forward. It has opened a lot of opportunities for me.”