Royal Navy apprenticeships: Parents’ questions answered about how they work, who they are for, and how to apply

As every parent knows, the work doesn’t stop when your teen hits 16. In fact, that’s a time when your guidance and advice is more vital than ever.
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Published 26th Oct 2023, 07:00 BST
Updated 30th Oct 2023, 12:57 BST
From fast-track roles to traditional apprenticeships, earn while you learn and see the world (CROWN COPYRIGHT, 2021)From fast-track roles to traditional apprenticeships, earn while you learn and see the world (CROWN COPYRIGHT, 2021)
From fast-track roles to traditional apprenticeships, earn while you learn and see the world (CROWN COPYRIGHT, 2021)

And with a myriad of employment, training and education options available, it’s hard to know what the best route to guide young adults along is.

The Royal Navy is the headline sponsor of the Portsmouth and Chichester Apprenticeship Awards 2023, and is a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer. It believes in mentoring, training young people to the highest standards, paying them well, and equipping them with skills not just for life in the navy, but for their civilian life beyond.

With a solid 12-18 month training period – where wages range from starting salaries of £18,500 during basic training increasing to £23,000 on completion of training, then up to a maximum of £56,000, plus transferable vocational qualifications and career prospects right through to officer training, a Royal Navy apprenticeship is an incredibly rewarding choice.

Pictured: Medics and first aiders help a casualty during a disaster relief exercise (CROWN COPYRIGHT) Credit: LPhot Dan Rosenbaum RNAS YeoviltonPictured: Medics and first aiders help a casualty during a disaster relief exercise (CROWN COPYRIGHT) Credit: LPhot Dan Rosenbaum RNAS Yeovilton
Pictured: Medics and first aiders help a casualty during a disaster relief exercise (CROWN COPYRIGHT) Credit: LPhot Dan Rosenbaum RNAS Yeovilton

Of course, it’s also highly contested, and recruiters want to take on people with huge potential, a thirst to learn and a spirit of adventure.

From ratings – who make up the backbone of the navy – to highly qualified air, submarine and weapons engineers, there’s a role for everyone.

Paid a decent wage and given a good holiday package, the navy offers much more than many civilian training places. There’s the opportunity to travel, the chance to train in things as diverse as skydiving, scuba diving, mountaineering and skiing, and a lifelong professional career on offer, plus the chance to serve their country, it’s an admirable and desirable career path for many.

There are fast tracked and intermediate places, lasting 12-18 months, and the RN has one of the highest completion rates of apprenticeships in the country. The scheme is also rated as by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’.

World-class training from a leading apprenticeship employer – could the MOD offer your teen an amazing future?World-class training from a leading apprenticeship employer – could the MOD offer your teen an amazing future?
World-class training from a leading apprenticeship employer – could the MOD offer your teen an amazing future?

What are the rewards and opportunities?

Intermediate apprentices – ratings – form part of the RN’s main workforce, learn a trade. Starting salaries begin at £18,500 up to £23,000, with the chance to earn up to £56,000. Fast track apprentices will already have gained a level three college diploma or A-Levels in maths and physics. Apprentices in the navy are given full support, including ongoing mentoring, training and career advice.

How do I know it is the right choice for my teen?

As experienced apprenticeship providers, the RN recruiters are on hand to answer every parents’questions, or you can go online.

Find out more about the Portsmouth and Chichester Apprenticeship Awards 2023.

Related topics:Royal NavyParentsPortsmouthOfsted