Your Career in The Merchant Navy

At SSTG our ethos is one of setting high standards in the level of training and support we provide for both newcomers to the Merchant Navy and established seafarers who want to further their careers both at sea and onshore.

Explore our career opportunities

The benefits of a career in the Merchant Navy

5 Study Locations in the UK

Make Lifetime Friends

Travel Around the World

Tax-Free Salary from £25,000 P.A. Once Qualified - Paid Tuition Fees

Ongoing Contacts with Key Maritime Decision Makers

Monthly Allowance Plus College Tuition Fees Paid by Sponsors

Find out more

How to start your career

Our experienced team of recruitment and training officers can provide help and guidance on roles, vacancies, and support in applying for sponsorship.

Cadet Training

The application process

Applying is easy! Don’t have time to complete it today? You can save your application anytime and return it to complete the process within 30 days.

Apply now

Find out more

How to advance your career

There are also opportunities for candidates who have the academic ability and desire to study for a higher level of academic award above those they achieved whilst completing their cadet training programme.

Advanced Training

Life at sea

Learn more about your life at sea and what to expect during your time on-board while being overseen by an experienced Ship’s Deck, Engineer or Electro-Technical Officer as you have appointed your mentor.

Start Your Journey Now

Whether you see yourself as a Deck, Electro-Technical Officer, or an Engineer, we’ll show you the way. The Merchant Navy training blends hands-on learning on board a shipping industry vessel, and college-based study. With course fees paid and a generous monthly allowance.

Deck Officer

Engineering Officer

ETO Officer

PHASES IN TRAINING

It's Not All Classroom Work

Once sponsorship is accepted your designated training officer will help with the enrolment at college and oversee your training throughout. Always on hand to answer your questions concerning college and sea time training.

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY

PHASE 1

At College

Learn the basics at your chosen college

PHASE 2

At Sea

Put your knowledge into practice

PHASE 3

At College

Further studies include practical sessions at college

PHASE 4

At Sea

Practice all that you've learned

PHASE 5

At College

Take your final exams and qualify!

OUR PROCESS

Are You Ready to Launch Your Career?

Take a look at our application steps below. Alternatively Start Now!

START NOW

STEP 1

Choose to train as a Deck, Engineer or Electro-Technical Officer

Deck Officer

Engineer Officer

Electro-Technical Officer

STEP 2

Choose the college you would like to attend

Warsash Maritime School
Fleetwood Nautical College
South Shields Marine School
City of Glasgow College

STEP 3

Submit Your Application

Applying is easy! Don’t have time to complete it today? You can save your application at any time and return to complete the process within 30 days.

APPLY NOW

TESTIMONIALS

Cadet Life

Read about the experiences of SSTG cadets as they progress through their training and enter into full service at sea.

“We’re learning a lot from the very supportive tutors who have prepared us with a good understanding of the basics for our sea phases of the course.” “The crew onboard the ships could not have been more helpful to me.” “It is a life experience you wouldn’t get in a shore job.”

Conversation with George Ineson Engineer Officer Trainee

“My time as an SSTG cadet was amazing and quite an experience. I received constant support and help from SSTG and my sponsoring company.”

Submitted by Arnold De Souza ETO Cadet

My en-suite cabin, my home for the next four months, was a spacious with plenty of room to relax and study in comfort with good air conditioning and, of course, a sea view!

Submitted by Owen Morgan Deck Cadet

Our Members

SSTG Member Companies encompass a diverse array of UK shipping firms and manning agencies, all actively engaged in sponsoring Officer Cadets and supporting seafarer training initiatives. Find out more about our members here.

Boston Putford Offshore Safety Ltd

Operates standby support vessels.

Careers at sea with Boston Putford Offshore Safety Ltd.

Based:
Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Profile:
Operates a fleet of Support Vessels in both the North Sea and other areas providing Emergency Response, Supply and Underwater Exploration/Construction services for the offshore oil and gas exploration and production industry.

Ship Types Operated:
Standby

Company website:
www.bostonputford.com

Britannia Aggregates Ltd

Operates aggregate mining vessels extracting sand and gravel.

Train as a deck cadet with Britannia Aggregates Ltd.

Based:
Northfleet, Kent.

Profile:
Operates a Marine Aggregate Dredger engaged in the mining of sand and gravel from the sea bed in licensed areas of the open sea around the UK & the Continent of Europe for delivery to UK and other European ports.

Ship Types Operated:
Aggregate Mining Vessels

Company website:
www.brett.co.uk

CEMEX Marine Ltd

Operates aggregate mining vessels extracting sand and gravel.

CEMEX, an SSTG Member for 10 years.

Based:
Southampton, Hampshire.

Profile:
Operates a fleet of Marine Aggregate Dredgers engaged in the mining of sand and gravel from the sea bed in licensed areas of the open sea around the UK & the Continent of Europe for delivery to UK and other European ports.

Ship Types Operated:
Aggregate Mining Vessels

Company website:
www.cemex.co.uk