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Marine Technical Superintendent

Occupational profile

The Marine Technical Superintendent is a shore-based, technical role responsible for the safe and economic operation of a fleet of vessels. They oversee vessel performance and are responsible for the technical and operational condition of vessels from an engineering perspective, including the planning and execution of refit and fleet time maintenance programmes, implementing and monitoring compliance and ensuring vessels are fully certified according to international maritime legislative requirements and classification society regulations.

Traditionally, entrants to the role would have previous experience as a Chief Engineer, but the duties and responsibilities of the Marine Technical Superintendent are significantly broader than those of a sea-going Chief Engineer. It requires entrants to develop advanced skills in leadership and management, financial and commercial proficiency, project management expertise and the potential to capitalise upon the application of advanced manufacturing techniques and emerging technologies, including the cybersecurity of digital engineering systems.

Developing an apprenticeship standard

Each apprenticeship standard is created by ‘Trailblazer’ groups of employers, interested in the occupation under development. These employer groups work together to develop the standard and the associated assessment plan. There are a number of stages to the process of developing a standard, and each stage is approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA).

First, an ‘expression of interest’ (EOI) is submitted for approval, describing the occupation and the duties involved. Next, the apprenticeship standard is developed, detailing the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) required to become fully competent in the occupation. Finally, an assessment plan is created which describes the assessment methods to be used for each of the KSBs listed. Once all of these stages have been approved, the IFA allocates a funding band for the standard and the standard is ready to use.

Marine Technical Superintendent standard is now fully approved and ready for delivery.

For details of this standard, see the IFA website.