Apprentice Technician Review
at RNLI College
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Engineering
East Cowes
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
3.1 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
3/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
2.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
Servicing, Maintainence, Production and Refit of RNLI's outboard engines
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I enjoy the apprenticeship for working within the RNLI. Being a part of a meaningful organisation makes work fulfilling.
Sometimes the apprenticeship program can be unpredictable as it undergoes change and development.
Sometimes the apprenticeship program can be unpredictable as it undergoes change and development.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I have learnt how to service and maintain an outboard marine engine, and how to create a 12v system.
I have learnt spraying techniques, TIG welding and fabrication methods.
I have learnt spraying techniques, TIG welding and fabrication methods.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
There is not a strict structure to the apprenticeship program as I get moved to different sections within the production of the inshore lifeboats. As the production of a lifeboat can be challenging, the pace of work and wok to be done can be dynamic.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
My apprenticeship lead is great at assisting us apprentices with any issues or pushing us to achieve more.
Managers can be conflicting with one another in what they want from apprentices and how they want the apprenticeship to be undertaken.
Managers can be conflicting with one another in what they want from apprentices and how they want the apprenticeship to be undertaken.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
The Isle of Wight College has been greatly difficult to work with. For many years I did not have a stable assessor, leading to work not being assigned to me and my apprenticeship falling behind. A burden which became mine to fix.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The Marine Engineering Level 3 qualification gave me a good foundation on Marine Engineering principles that have allowed me to better understand my role and why I do what I do for the outboards.
However, practical experience was very lacking, which may have been a result of Covid.
However, practical experience was very lacking, which may have been a result of Covid.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
The RNLI sends a number of apprentices to the Lake District, with the Outward Bound Trust in Eskdale. This is for team building and I found to be Very beneficial.
I also got to attend the Shipwrights event in Southampton where i got an insight into other apprenticeships within the Marine Industry.
I also got to attend the Shipwrights event in Southampton where i got an insight into other apprenticeships within the Marine Industry.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend RNLI College to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The work is fulfilling, the pension is great and the RNLI opens many opportunities both within and outside the organisation.
Compared to other apprenticeships in my area with similar roles, the pay is competitive too.
Compared to other apprenticeships in my area with similar roles, the pay is competitive too.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to RNLI College?
Learn the values and structure of the RNLI.
Be ready to commit to the opportunities the RNLI creates to take full advantage of the apprenticeship.
This could be events, experiences or networking.
Be ready to commit to the opportunities the RNLI creates to take full advantage of the apprenticeship.
This could be events, experiences or networking.
