Small vessel chief engineer

This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the small vessel chief engineer apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering their EPA.

Small vessel chief engineer apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.

The International Convention and Code on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping (STCW) set the global standards for maritime engineer officers. This includes the provisions prescribing the mandatory minimum requirements for engineers.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is an executive agency of the Department for Transport UK. It implements the UK government’s maritime safety policy in the UK.

This apprenticeship leads to 'Chief Engineer Officer, less than 9000 Kilowatt (kW), less than 3000 Gross Tonnage (GT), unlimited area STCW Reg III/2’ Certificate of Competency (CoC).

The MCA's requirements for Chief Engineer Officer, less than 9,000 kW, less than 3,000 GT, unlimited area, STCW Convention Regulation III/2 are detailed in MIN 524, or subsequent M-Notice.

This apprenticeship has a partially integrated EPA. The EPA uses an independent EPAO assessment alongside the MCA oral examination for Chief Engineer Officer, less than 9,000 kW, less than 3,000 GT, unlimited area, STCW Convention Regulation III/2.

The integrated EPA is permitted because the following criteria are met:

• Parliament has prescribed that the occupation (profession) must be regulated, and a statutory regulator has undisputed control of access to the occupation.
• The partially integrated EPA meets the requirements of an apprenticeship.

An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must select an approved EPAO from the register of end-point assessment organisations (RoEPAO).

A full-time apprentice typically spends 48 months on-programme (this means in training before the gateway) working towards competence as a small vessel chief engineer. All apprentices must spend at least 12 months on-programme. All apprentices must complete the required amount of off-the-job training specified by the apprenticeship funding rules.

This EPA has 2 assessment methods.

The grades available for each assessment method are:

Assessment method 1 - Project report and presentation with questions:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

Assessment method 2 - MCA oral examination for Chief Engineer Officer, less than 9,000 kW, less than 3,000 GT, unlimited area, STCW Convention Regulation III/2:

• fail

• pass

The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:

• Fail

• Pass

• Distinction

The EPA is taken within the EPA period. The EPA period starts when the EPAO confirms the gateway requirements are met and is typically 6 months.

The expectation is that the EPAO will confirm the gateway requirements are met and the EPA starts as quickly as possible.

The apprentice’s employer must confirm that they think the apprentice is working at or above the small vessel chief engineer occupational standard. The apprentice then enters the gateway. The employer may take advice from the apprentice's training provider(s), but they must make the decision.

The apprentice must meet gateway requirements before starting their EPA.

These are:

• achieved English and maths qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules

• for the project report and presentation with questions, the apprentice must submit a project summary

Project summary requirements

To ensure the project allows the apprentice to meet the KSBs mapped to this EPA method to the highest available grade, the EPAO should sign-off the project’s title and scope at the gateway to confirm it is suitable. A brief project summary must be submitted to the EPAO. It should be no more than 500 words. This needs to show that the project will provide the opportunity for the apprentice to cover the KSBs mapped to this EPA method. It is not assessed.

• completed the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) mandatory qualifications, courses and other requirements leading to a notice of eligibility for the: MCA oral examination leading to Chief Engineer Officer, less than 9,000 kW, less than 3,000 GT, unlimited area, STCW Convention Regulation III/2. These requirements are detailed in MIN 524, or subsequent M-Notice.

Example of the MCA's mandatory qualifications, courses, and other requirements

The apprenticeship has two stages which an apprentice must complete, each equating to an MCA issued Certificate of Competency (CoC):

1) Engineer Officer of the Watch, less than 9000 kW, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area (EOOW), STCW Convention Regulation III/2

Followed by:

2) Chief Engineer Officer, less than 9000 kW, less than 3000 GT unlimited area, STCW Convention Regulation III/2

Prior to joining first vessel for first sea voyage apprentices need to hold

• a valid ENG1 (medical fitness certificate) or accepted equivalent
• STCW Personal Survival Techniques
• STCW Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
• STCW Elementary First Aid
• STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
• STCW Security Awareness

Stage one – new entrant to EOOW

There are three potential routes to EOOW, Convention regulation III/2:

1) Standard MCA approved programme - this route is outlined below

2) Experienced seafarer route

3) Alternative route: for graduate engineer, HND, HNC, or apprenticeship holder (3.5)

Standard MCA approved programme

To qualify for the issue of this CoC you must meet the following requirements:

(a) Hold an Approved Engine Course I and II (AEC I and II) – this is not required if you are completing your seagoing service as Assistant Engineer

(b) Have completed 12 months’ combined sea service and workshop training, which must include:

• 6 months’ seagoing service engaged in watchkeeping or Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS) duties on vessels of at least 350 kW
• 5 months’ seagoing service on vessels of at least 350 kW
• 2 weeks MCA-approved Initial Workshop Skills Training
• a further 2 weeks’ seagoing service on vessels of at least 350 kW or 2 weeks of MCA-approved additional Workshop Skills Training

(c) Complete the MNTB Small Vessel Training Record Book (TRB) during your seagoing service

(d) Complete the Diploma in Maritime Studies: Small Vessel Engineer

(e) Successfully pass the MCA-approved written examinations for:

• Marine Diesel Engineering
• Auxiliary Equipment Part – 1
• Operational procedures, Basic Hotel Services and Ship Construction

(f) Hold the applicable ancillary and safety course certificates

• STCW Personal Survival Techniques
• STCW Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
• STCW Elementary First Aid
• STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
• STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue
• STCW Advanced Fire Fighting
• STCW Medical First Aid
• STCW HELM (Operational)

(g) Hold a valid ENG1 (medical fitness certificate) or accepted equivalent

With all the above obtained, the apprentice will be given a notice of eligibility for the: MCA oral examination for EOOW, STCW Convention Regulation III/2.

Upon passing the MCA oral examination, the apprentice is awarded their CoC and stage one is complete.

Stage two – EOOW to Chief Engineer Officer

Candidates need to meet the following requirements:

a) Have completed 24 months’ seagoing service which must include:

• 12 months as a EOOW while holding the applicable STCW Convention regulation III/2 CoC
  • i. 6 months of this service must be complete on vessels of at least 750 kW
  • ii. 6 months of this service must be completed on vessels of at least 350 kW

Note: The 24 months’ seagoing service required for the Small Vessel Chief Engineer CoC does not include any workshop time. In effect this means that seagoing service accrued in stage one is only 11 months and therefore at least 13 months of seagoing service as an EOOW must be completed.

b) Successfully complete the MCA-approved modules and pass the corresponding written examinations for:

• Auxiliary Equipment part 2
• Chief Engineer Statutory and Operational Requirements
• Applied Marine Engineering

c) Complete either:

• MCA-approved modules and pass the corresponding written examinations for General Engineering Science I and II

OR

• The Diploma in Maritime Studies: Small Vessel and the Diploma in Maritime Studies: Small Vessel Chief Engineer

d) Hold the applicable ancillary and safety course certificates (in addition to those held EOOW level):

• STCW Human Element, Leadership and Management (Management)

With all the above obtained, the apprentice will be given a notice of eligibility for the: MCA oral examination for Chief Engineer Officer, less than 9,000 kW, less than 3,000 GT, unlimited area, STCW Convention Regulation III/2. Upon passing the MCA oral examination, the apprentice is awarded their second CoC and stage two is complete. The MCA oral examination for Chief Engineer Officer, less than 9,000 kW, less than 3,000 GT, unlimited area, STCW Convention Regulation III/2 forms part of the EPA for this apprenticeship.

Notes:

• The MCA's requirements for Chief Engineer Officer, less than 9,000 kW, less than 3,000 GT, unlimited area, STCW Convention Regulation III/2 are detailed in MIN 524, or subsequent M-Notice.
• The MNTB training record book is only used for reaching the EOOW CoC.
• The above pathway only outlines the standard MCA approved programme when two others formally exist.
• There are a range of caveats, exemptions and alternatives to specific requirements depending on circumstances which are detailed with the relevant MCA issued MIN.
• Correct at time of publication. Please refer to the latest M-Notice.

The apprentice must submit any policies and procedures as requested by the EPAO.

The apprentice must submit all gateway evidence to the EPAO.

The EPA period starts when the EPAO confirms all gateway requirements have been met. The expectation is they will do this as quickly as possible.

Assessment method 1: project report and presentation with questions must be completed before assessment method 2: MCA oral examination for Chief Engineer Officer, less than 9,000 kW, less than 3,000 GT, unlimited area, STCW Convention Regulation III/2.

This order is to help ensure that apprentices complete the EPA.

An apprentice is lawfully permitted to work as a small vessel chief engineer once they have passed assessment method 2: MCA oral examination for Chief Engineer Officer, less than 9,000 kW, less than 3,000 GT, unlimited area, STCW Convention Regulation III/2.

Successfully completing both assessment methods affirms full occupational competence for the purposes of this apprenticeship.

It is the responsibility of the EPAO to ensure that assessment method 2 is booked with the MCA, once the apprentice has achieved a minimum of a pass in assessment method 1.

Overview

A project involves the apprentice completing a significant and defined piece of work that has a real business application and benefit. The project must meet the needs of the employer's business and be relevant to the apprentice's occupation and apprenticeship.

This project has 2 components:

• a project report
• a presentation with questions

Together, they give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate their competency across the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

Rationale

This assessment method is being used because:

• it enables a holistic assessment of an activity which takes place over several weeks
• it provides a cost-effective assessment as it minimises independent assessor time, makes use of the apprentice’s employer’s workplace, equipment, and resources, may contribute to workplace production, and can be administered remotely
• the presentation provides an opportunity for the apprentice to directly demonstrate verbal communication and use of information technology

Delivery

The apprentice must complete a project based on any of the following:

• a specific technical problem
• a recurring operational issue
• an idea or opportunity for example, to improve vessel efficiency or environmental impact
• the introduction of new technology or regulations
• a major machinery overhaul

To ensure the project allows the apprentice to meet the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade, the EPAO should sign-off the project summary at the gateway to confirm it is suitable.

The project output must be in the form of a report and presentation.

The apprentice must start the project after the gateway. The employer should ensure the apprentice has the time and resources within this period to plan and complete their project.

The apprentice may work as part of a team to complete the project, which could include internal colleagues or external support. The apprentice must however, complete their project report and presentation unaided and they must be reflective of their own role and contribution. The apprentice and their employer must confirm this when they are submitted.

Component 1: Project report

The report must include at least:

• a summary of the project
• the scope of the project investigation
• project delivery and outcomes, including project management
• analysis of the information provided, and research undertaken
• project conclusions stating how future outcomes may be achieved
• an appendix including the project budget and documentation

The project report must have a word count of 5000 words. A tolerance of 10% above or below the word count is allowed at the apprentice’s discretion. Appendices, references and diagrams are not included in this total. The project report must map, in an appendix, how it evidences the relevant KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

The apprentice must complete and submit the report to the EPAO by the end of week 16 of the EPA period.

Component 2: Presentation with questions

The presentation with questions must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to the assessment method to the highest available grade.

The apprentice must prepare, submit, and deliver a presentation on their project. The apprentice must deliver their presentation to the independent assessor. After the presentation, the independent assessor must ask questions.

The presentation and questioning must last 30 minutes. This will typically include a presentation of 10 minutes and questioning lasting 20 minutes. The independent assessor can increase the time of the presentation and questioning by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to respond to a question if necessary.

The presentation should cover:

• an overview of the project
• the project scope (including key performance indicators)
• summary of actions undertaken by the apprentice
• project outcomes and how these were achieved

The independent assessor must ask at least 5 questions. They must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in-line with the EPAO’s training. Follow up questions are allowed where clarification is required.

The purpose of the independent assessor's questions is:

• to verify that the activity was completed by the apprentice
• to seek clarification where required
• to assess those KSBs that the apprentice did not have the opportunity to demonstrate during the report, although these should be kept to a minimum
• to assess the apprentice's level of competence against the grading descriptors

The apprentice must submit their presentation slides and any supporting materials for example, handouts to the EPAO at the same time as the report - by the end of week 16 of the EPA period.

The apprentice must notify the EPAO, at the submission of the presentation, of any technical requirements for the presentation. For the presentation, the apprentice should have access to:

• audio-visual presentation equipment
• flip chart, writing and drawing materials
• computer

The independent assessor must have at least 2 weeks to review the project report and presentation before the presentation is delivered by the apprentice. This is to allow them to prepare appropriate questions.

The apprentice must be given at least 2 weeks notice of the date and time of the presentation with questions.

Assessment decisions

The independent assessor must make the grading decisions. The 2 components must be assessed holistically by the independent assessor against the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. The records must include the KSBs met, the grade achieved and answers to questions.

Assessment location

The presentation with questions must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises.
It should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.

The presentation with questioning can be conducted by video conferencing. The EPAO must have processes in place to verify the identity of the apprentice and ensure the apprentice is not being aided.

Question and resource development

The EPAO must write an assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with the employers of this occupation. The EPAO should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting employers.

The specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must develop a purpose-built question bank and ensure that appropriate quality assurance procedures are in place for example, considering standardisation, training and moderation. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this. The assessment specification and questions must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.

The EPAO must ensure that an apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.

The EPAO must produce the following material to support this assessment method:

• independent assessor EPA materials which include:
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • question bank
• EPA guidance for the apprentice and the employer

Overview

In the MCA oral examination, the apprentice is assessed verbally. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills mapped to this assessment method.

The apprentice must be 18 years of age to satisfy MCA requirements for certification. They may start the EPA process before they are 18 years of age, if they will be 18 or over at the point of certification.

Rationale

This EPA method is being used because it is a regulatory requirement.

Delivery

The MCA oral examination is administered by the MCA in accordance with their own published guidance.

Assessment location

See the MCA's latest guidance.

Question and resource development

See the MCA's latest guidance.

The assessment methods contribute equally to the overall EPA pass grade.

Performance in the EPA determines the apprenticeship grade of:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

The independent assessor must individually grade the project report and presentation with questions according to the requirements set out in this EPA plan.

The EPAO must combine the individual assessment method grades to determine the overall EPA grade.

If the apprentice fails one or both assessment methods, they must be awarded an overall EPA fail.

The apprentice must achieve at least a pass in both assessment methods to achieve an overall EPA pass. To achieve an overall EPA distinction, the apprentice must achieve a distinction in the project report and presentation with questions, and a pass in the MCA oral examination for Chief Engineer Officer, less than 9,000 kW, less than 3,000 GT, unlimited area, STCW Convention Regulation III/2.

Grades from individual assessment methods must be combined in the following way to determine the grade of the EPA overall.

If the apprentice fails one or both assessment methods, they can take a re-sit or a re-take at their employer’s discretion. The apprentice’s employer needs to agree that a re-sit or re-take is appropriate. A re-sit does not need further learning, whereas a re-take does.

The apprentice should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take.

The employer and EPAO agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take. A re-sit is typically taken within 2 months of the EPA outcome notification. The timescale for a re-take is dependent on how much re-training is required and is typically taken within 6 months of the EPA outcome notification.

Failed assessment methods must be re-sat or re-taken within a 6-month period from the EPA outcome notification, otherwise the entire EPA will need to be re-sat or re-taken in full.

Re-sits and re-takes are not offered to an apprentice wishing to move from pass to a higher grade.

The apprentice will get a maximum EPA grade of pass for a re-sit or re-take, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.

The EPAO must have reasonable adjustments arrangements for the EPA.

This should include:

• how an apprentice qualifies for reasonable adjustment
• what reasonable adjustments may be made

Adjustments must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.

Internal quality assurance refers to how the EPAO ensures valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions. The EPAO must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities section.

They must also:

• have effective and rigorous quality assurance systems and procedures that ensure fair, reliable and consistent EPA regardless of employer, place, time or independent assessor
• appoint independent assessors who are competent to deliver the EPA and who:
  • have recent relevant experience of the occupation or sector to at least occupational level 4 gained in the last 2 years or significant experience of the occupation or sector
• operate induction training for anyone involved in the delivery or assessment of the EPA
• provide training for independent assessors in good assessment practice, operating the assessment tools and making grading decisions
• provide ongoing training for markers and invigilators
• provide standardisation activity for this apprenticeship for an independent assessor:
  • before they conduct an EPA for the first time
  • if the EPA is updated
  • periodically as appropriate (a minimum of annually)
• conduct effective moderation of EPA decisions and grades
• conduct appeals where required, according to the EPAO’s appeals procedure, reviewing and making final decisions on EPA decisions and grades
• have no direct connection with the apprentice, their employer or training provider

Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:

• utilising digital remote platforms to conduct applicable assessment methods

• using the employer’s premises

This apprenticeship aligns with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) for Engineering Technician (EngTech). The experience gained and responsibility held by the apprentice on completion of the apprenticeship will either wholly or partially satisfy the requirements for registration at this level.