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Trainee Page
Trainee Officer & Rating Programmes:
The global demand for Merchant Navy Officers & Ratings means that a career at sea has never been more rewarding. With a variety of entry routes, Bibby Ship Management provides the training, guidance and sponsorship required to support the next generation of seafarers in realising their dreams.
Eligibility
Our Trainees Speak For Themselves
Trainees Deck Officer Programmes
Trainees Engineering Officer Programmes
Trainees Electro-Technical Officer Programmes
Trainee Rating Programmes
FAQ’s
Eligibility
Bibby Ship Management are only able to accept applications for Trainee Officer and Rating programmes from European Union nationals who have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for a period greater than one year.
Our Trainees Speak For Themselves
Cadets personal experiences since starting their Cadetship with Bibby Ship Management. (Awaiting content).
Trainee Deck Officer Programmes
As a Deck Officer, you will be responsible for the navigation, safety, cargo, communications and management of technologically intensive merchant vessels operating on a global basis.
The following academic routes are available for Trainee Deck Officer Candidates:
Academic Programme:
Foundation Degree / Scottish Professional Diploma
Entry Requirements:
120 UCAS Points with GCSE (Grade C or above) / Scottish Standard (Grade 3 or above) in Mathematics, English and Science based subject, including physics.
Sample Programme Structure:
Induction - College (3 weeks)
1st Phase – College (15 weeks)
2nd Phase – Sea Time (35 weeks)
3rd Phase – College (30 Weeks)
4th Phase – Sea Time (47 Weeks)
5th Phase – College (15 Weeks)
Assessments:
Academic and Vocational Examinations
Work Based Learning Projects
MNTB Training Record Book
MCA Orals Examination
Leading to:
FD(Sc) Marine Operations, or
Scottish Professional Diploma
Marine Operations, HND & SQA Nautical Science
MCA STCW'95 II/I Officer of Watch Certificate.
Academic Programme:
Higher National Diploma
Entry Requirements:
4 GCSE (Grade C or above) / Scottish Standard
(Grade 3 or above) including Mathematics,
English and Science based subject, including
Physics.
Sample Programme Structure:
1st Phase – College (6 weeks)
2nd Phase – Sea Time (30 weeks)
3rd Phase – College (25 weeks)
4th Phase – Sea Time (25 weeks)
5th Phase – College (24 weeks)
6th Phase - Sea Time (26 weeks)
7th Phase - College (26 weeks)
Assessments:
Academic and Vocational Examinations
NVQ Portfolio / Training Record Book
MCA Orals Examination
Leading to:
HND Marine Science
NVQ Level 3 Merchant Vessel Operations
MCA STCW'95 II/I Officer of Watch Certificate
As part of your training you will typically study the following subjects and attend the following short courses:
Topics:
Bridge Watckeeping, Cargo Work, Ship Construction, Chartwork, Tides & Sailings, Meteorology, Mathematics, Ship Stability, Marine Law & Management, Celestial Navigation, Emergency Response, Passage Planning, Cargo & Port Operations, Shipboard Management, Structures & Maintenance, Shipmaster's Business.
Short Courses:
Personal Survival Techniques
Fire Prevention and Firefighting
Elementary First Aid
Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities
Proficiency in Medical First Aid Aboard Ship
Proficiency in Survival Craft & Rescue Boats
Advanced Firefighting
MCA Signals Examination
GMDSS General Operator's Certificate
Navigation Radar & ARPS Simulation Training.
Trainee Engineering Officer Programmes
As an Engineering Officer you will require a detailed technical knowledge of vessel propulsion, electrical and associated equipment and plant installed aboard modern vessels and the practical skills to maintain them.
The following academic routes are available for Trainee Engineer Officer Candidates:
| Academic Programme: | Foundation Degree | |
| Entry Requirements: | 120 UCAS Points with GCSE (Grade C or above) / Scottish Standard (Grade 3 or above) in Mathematics, English and Science based subject, including physics. | |
| Sample Programme Structure: | Induction – College (3 weeks) 1st Phase – College (25 weeks) 2nd Phase – Sea Time (24 weeks) 3rd Phase – College (30 Weeks) 4th Phase – Sea Time (23 Weeks) 5th Phase – College (20 Weeks) | |
| Assessments: | Academic and Vocational Examinations Work Based Learning Projects MNTB Training Record Book MCA Orals Examination | |
| Leading to: | FD(Eng) Marine Engineering MCA STCW'95 III/1 Officer of Watch | |
| Academic Programme: | Higher National Diploma | |
| Entry Requirements: | 4 GCSE (Grade C or above) / Scottish Standard (Grade 3 or above) including Mathematics, English and Science based subject, including Physics. | |
| Sample Programme Structure: | 1st Phase – College (26 weeks) 2nd Phase – Sea Time (24 weeks) 3rd Phase – College (41 weeks) 4th Phase – Sea Time (24 weeks) 5th Phase – College (24 weeks) | |
| Assessments: | Academic and Vocational Examinations NVQ Portfolio / Training Record Book MCA Orals Examination | |
| Leading to: | HND Marine Engineering NVQ Level 3 Merchant Vessel Engineering MCA STCW'95 Office of Watch Certificate | |
| As part of your training you will typically study the following subjects and attend the following short courses: | ||
| Topics: | Marine Electronics, Mathematics, Ship Construction, Marine Propulsion and Auxiliary Systems, Marine Legislation & Management, Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Engineering Drawing, Ship Stability, Instrumentation & Control. | |
| Short Courses: | Personal Survival Techniques Fire Prevention and Firefighting Elementary First Aid Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities Proficiency in Medical First Aid Aboard Ship Proficiency in Survival Craft & Rescue Boats Advanced Firefighting | |
Trainee Electro-Technical Officer Programmes
In addition to the responsibilities and training required for Marine Engineers, Electro-Technical Officers are responsible for the maintenance of a vessels electronic navigation and communication systems. As such they will receive the training and certification in Electronic Navigation Systems and Fault Diagnosis, GMDSS and Radio Maintenance.
Trainee Rating Programmes
Through its association with Foreland Shipping Limited, Bibby Ship Management is one of the few members of the UK Merchant Navy committed to providing career opportunities for those wishing to train as Merchant Navy Ratings. This training option is particularly suited to those with an interest in a career at sea but who do not meet the academic entry requirements for Trainee Officer Programmes.
Training programmes lead to NVQ Level 2 qualifications in Marine Vessel Operations for Deck Ratings or Marine Engineering Operations for Engine Room Ratings. As with Trainee Officer programmes, training involves both college and sea phases and can typically be completed in less than one year.
FAQ’s
Q. Who can apply to Bibby Ship Management?
A. Due to funding arrangements, only applications from EU nationals ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for a period of one year or more can be considered for training with Bibby Ship Management.
Q. Are there any age restrictions?
A. Candidates must be over sixteen years of age at commencement of training.
Q. Will I have to take a medical?
A. Yes. All applicants will be required to pass stringent health and eyesight examinations before being allowed to commence training. Further information on medical requirements can be obtained from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.
Q. What are the preferred academic qualification requirements?
A. Prospective Trainee Officers should ideally be educated to A Level / Scottish Highers (or equivalent) or above with qualifications in Mathematics and Physics. In certain circumstances those with GCSE / Scottish Standards (or equivalent) will be considered. Fast track programmes are available for certain qualified Engineers.
Q. How long is a typical Cadetship?
A. Cadetships last for approximately three years during which you will spend time at approved training college and at sea. The amount of time you spend at sea will be dependent on the college dates however the minimum total sea time attained during your training will be six months for Engineer / ETO Trainee Officers and 12 months for Deck Trainee Officers. Typically, each sea voyage will be between 3 and four months.
Q. Where will I train?
A. Bibby Ship Management arrange for their Trainee Officers’ to attend one of the following approved colleges:
South of England - Warsash Maritime Academy
North West of England – Liverpool John Moores University
North West of England – Blackpool & The Fylde College
North East of England – South Tyneside College
Scotland – Glasgow College of Nautical Studies
Q. Where will I go to when at sea?
A. Our training vessels operate on a global basis.
Q. What type of vessels will I work on?
A. Bibby Ship Management own and manage a variety of vessels from Ro-Ro & General Cargo vessels to cruise vessels.
Q. What qualification will I receive at the end of my training?
A. In addition to your Certificate of Competence, our Trainee Officers will receive either a Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma in their chosen discipline.
Q. Will I be paid whilst training?
A. Bibby Ship Management award a monthly training allowance. As Trainee Officers hold a sponsored status they are not required to pay Income Tax or National Insurance Contributions.
Q. Will I have to pay for my tuition?
A. No. In addition to travel, medical, uniform and documentation costs, Bibby Ship Management will also meet your tuition and examination costs.
Q. Will I have a job at the end of my training?
A. Bibby Ship Management has a proven track record in placing recently qualified Officers into full time employment.
Q. I have heard about Tonnage Tax, what is it?
A. Tonnage Tax is a UK Government initiative to increase the number of vessels operating under European and UK flags. In return for tax incentives shipping companies have a financial commitment towards the training of UK Officers. For further information on Tonnage Tax please see the UK Ship Register webpage.
Q. I have previously commenced a Trainee Officer Programme with a different company, can I still apply?
A. Yes. In certain circumstances Bibby Ship Management will consider applications from those who have previously commenced training with other organisations but have had to withdraw for specific circumstances.
Q. I have currently a Trainee Officer with another company, can I still apply?
A. No. Bibby Ship Management does not consider applications from Trainee Officers currently under training with other shipping companies.
Q. Where can I find more information on Merchant Navy Cadetships?
A. The following links will provide additional information:
Merchant Navy Training Board
Sea Vision UK
Careers At Sea
Maritime & Coastguard Agency
