1. Inspiring Aspirations
With multiple entry routes and disciplines the Merchant Navy offers careers for E Y O V N R E E
Opportunities For All
The British Merchant Navy is an integrated fleet of vessels of all sizes operated by independent commercial companies. This provides an exciting range of career paths and opportunities to not only travel to far-flung destinations, but also to secure employment working ashore later in a career.
The maritime sector is the third largest revenue generator in the UK. More than 95% of Britain's commercial goods are imported and exported aboard ships, all of which are reliant on highly competent seafarers whose skills are held in high regard throughout the world.
There is a career path for everyone, from those who leave school with GCSE’s or A levels to those looking for graduate entry.
The pace of progression through the ranks can also be tailored to meet the needs of individual seafarers, allowing more time for consolidation if and when required.

2. The Merchant Navy Passenger Ferries Aggregate Dredgers Oil Tankers
Mining sand and gravel from the sea bed for the construction industry.
Aggregate Dredgers
Passenger Ferries
Carrying over 50 million people by sea every year.
Bringing crude oil, petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel.
Delivering goods as diverse as iPads bicycles, greenhouses, and medicines.
Oil Tankers
What is the Merchant Navy
The modern Merchant Navy operates sophisticated ships providing Britain with an essential link to the rest of the world. The advanced shipping fleets operated by individual companies offers an exciting variety of specialist vessels, ranging from large ocean-going tankers and bulk carriers, to luxurious cruise liners and high-tech support vessels.
The Merchant Navy also provides vital services and support across the world's industrial sectors including energy extraction and seabed mining; surveying and exploration; wind farming and cable laying; as well as operating advanced and highly specialised emergency response and recovery vessels.
The sheer diversity of vessel types provides for a fascinating choice of work environments and the opportunity for a varied and interesting career. Click this link for a flavour of the wide variety of ships that the SSTG offer during training.
Container Ships

3. Job Roles
Navigating the vessel using sophisticated technology and ensuring the safety of ship, crew and cargo, requires critical decision making skills, an aptitude for communication, and strong leadership traits.
Maintaining huge but highly technical engines needs mechanically minded people with an eye for details who relish fault finding and problem solving.
DECK OFFICERS
ENGINEER
Overseeing the ever-growing complex control systems and diverse range of electronics on modern merchant vessels needs practical trouble shooting skills.
There are 3 options
The three main roles that are available are Deck Officer, Engineer or Electro Technical Officer (ETO).
ETO
Ships work around the clock and in the British fleet they provide wide-ranging career opportunities for Deck, Engineer and ETO officers. These offer a unique lifestyle and excellent prospects for promotion. Careers at sea provide an opportunity to rapidly gain considerable experience and responsibility in a stimulating and varied working environment. Qualified seafarers also have extensive career opportunities ashore in the maritime and associated industries.
The three main roles that are available to you as an Officer are Deck, Engineer or Electro Technical Officer (ETO).
SSTG has vacancies that will provide you with the opportunity to apply for a career within the discipline of your choice. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates throughout the year.
The hyperlinks in this slide will take you to the SSTG’s web pages providing more information on each of the job roles

4. Entry Requirements Foundation Degree. HNC / HND
And a practical attitude to problem solving in the work place.
The personality to get along with people and work as part of an integrated team.
The initiative to work alone and make decisions whilst under pressure.
AND willing to live away from home with a thirst for adventure!
Foundation Degree.
HNC / HND
4 GCSE’s grades 9 to 5
48 UCAS points
A good grade maths GCSE
With maths, physics and English.
Maths + physics for engineers & ETO’s
To qualify as a Deck, Engineer or Electro Technical Officer in the Merchant Navy takes a candidate with a particular mix of skills including a practical attitude to problem solving in the work place, the personality to get along with people and work as part of an integrated team, as well as having the initiative to work alone and make decisions whilst under pressure.
The minimum entry requirements indicated in this slide are set by the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) and Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
All candidates must be in good health and pass a statutory Merchant Navy Medical Examination prior to the commencement of training. All candidates must meet specified eyesight which differ for Deck, Engineering and Electro Technical Officers. 
To qualify for the full extent of government funding which is available to support Officer Cadet training in the UK, you must be the holder of an EEA (European Economic Area) passport and be ordinarily resident in the UK.
For more details visit The SSTG’s website (
4 standards 1 to 3

5. How Long Does it Take? Three years -split into 5 phases
Phase 1 at college building academic skills. 1 2
Phase 2 at sea building practical skills.
Three years -split into 5 phases
Phase 3 back at college on-going studies. 3
Phase 4 back at sea for more practical training. 4
Deck Officer cadets
5 alternating college and sea periods as per the following approximate guidelines:
Phase 1 (At College):   15/20 wks.
Phase 2 (Sea & Leave):   8/10 mths.
Phase 3 (At College):   30 wks.
Phase 4 (Sea & Leave):   10/12 mths.
Phase 5 (At College):   15/20 wks.
Sea Service:   12 months minimum.
Watchkeeping:   6 months minimum completed within the last 12 months of sea service.
Engineer Officer cadets
5 alternating college and sea periods as per the following approximate guidelines:
Phase 1 (At College):   25/30 wks.
Phase 2 (Sea & Leave):   5 mths.
Phase 3 (At College):   30/40 wks.
Phase 4 (Sea & Leave):   7 mths.
Phase 5 (At College):   20/25 wks.
Industrial Experience/Sea Service:   Candidates are required to undertake 12 months Industrial experience, which includes the watchkeeping listed below.  
Watchkeeping:   A minimum of 6 months. 5
Phase 5 completion of studies, oral exam, QUALIFIED!
ETO Cadets
5 alternating college and sea periods as per the approximate guidelines:
Phase 1 (At College):   30 wks.
Phase 2 (Sea & Leave):   5 mths.
Phase 3 (At College):   30 wks.
Phase 4 (Sea & Leave):   7mths.
Phase 5 (At College):   25 wks.
Industrial Experience/Sea Service:   Candidates are required to undertake 12 months Industrial experience which must include a minimum of 6 months Sea Service.
Watchkeeping:   4 months minimum.

6. Earn While You Learn Personal training allowance of ≈ £650 per month
All tuition and examination fees paid
Travel allowance paid.
Personal training allowance of ≈ £650 per month
Uniform allowance paid.
NO STUDENT DEBT
Training Allowance
Officer Trainees normally receive an allowance which is spread throughout your training and is paid monthly. This varies from sponsor to sponsor and will be advised upon successful interview.
Support at Sea
Officer Trainees are required to undertake sea service on vessels operated by their sponsor, or on other training ships. You may be expected to join vessels in your home port to travel to a foreign port. Travel costs to and from each vessel will be reimbursed in full.
All of your training and living costs whilst on-board are provided for.
When aboard ship your welfare will continue to be monitored by your Training Officer who will assist with everything from applying for visas to organising your personal identity papers. This includes your all-important Discharge Book, which records details of your sea service throughout your career in the Merchant Navy.
GET PAID TO TRAVEL THE WORLD!

7. Where Will I Study? Here! and… Here
Shetland School of Nautical Studies
Here!
Here
and…
City of Glasgow
South Shields Marine School
Fleetwood Nautical Campus
Liverpool John Moores University
The seven Universities and Colleges included below are the only ones currently offering approved new entrant Officer Cadet training programmes in the UK.
These establishments do not necessarily offer all the approved programmes and whilst the majority of establishments will have start dates during August/September each year for the programmes they do offer, each establishment is likely to have a reduced range commencing during January each year.
For a fuller flavour of The SSTG’s member companies and the destinations their ships go to please visit
Plymouth University
Warsash Maritime Academy

8. The SSTG organise all aspects of your college and sea training.
How it Works
Work
Travel
Hands On
Allowance
Ship
The SSTG recruits Deck, Engineer and ETO Officer Cadets for a career onboard our members' vessels.
Work
Travel
Hands On
Allowance
Apply to SSTG
Interview process
Research
Choose your job
Ship
Receive Training
Allowance
Work hard
Pass exams
The SSTG organise all aspects of your college and sea training.
College
The SSTG monitor and support to ensure you receive the best training available!
Work
Travel
Hands On
Allowance
The Ship Safe Training Group (SSTG) was founded over 35 years ago. We provide an Officer Cadet recruitment and training service for over 20 shipping companies operating a wide variety of different ship types and the opportunity for pursuing a wide range of careers at sea.
The SSTG recruits new entrant Deck, Engineer and ETO Officer Cadets for a career at sea onboard our members' vessels operating worldwide. We organise and supervise your training programmes to provide high quality and progressive training and support.
We provide guidance throughout your college and sea-based phases. SSTG monitors and supervises your progress to ensure that you are receiving the support you need to succeed in the completion of your training programme.
Since it was conceived over 35 years ago, the size of SSTG has grown to meet the ever-increasing complexity of the training requirements of its member companies. However, we have strived to remain responsive to the continually changing needs of those companies and the other marine organisations we serve.
Ship

9. For more information visit our website Ship Safe Training Group Ltd
Got your cogs turning?
For more information visit our website
Ship Safe Training Group Ltd
The Precinct Office
Rochester
Kent
ME1 1SR
Tel: