On a maritime caterer apprenticeship course, you’ll help work as a hospitality/hotel services department member on board ships and vessels.
A marine caterer works in the hospitality/hotel services sector onboard ships and boats, preparing, cooking, and baking a range of delicacies for passengers and/or crew, such as fish, poultry, meat, vegetables, bread products, desserts, and buffets.
As a maritime catering apprentice, you will also be responsible for food shopping and storage, budgeting, and menu planning.
These are specific to the needs of the crew and passengers, the vessel’s endurance at sea, food storage capacity, and availability of fresh vegetables on board.
Customer service is essential, as are various marine safety jobs and requirements. You’ll typically work a shift cycle dictated by the vessel’s activity with other sailors of diverse nationalities. Be prepared to spend substantial time away from home on this apprenticeship and work shifts.
What you’ll learn
On a maritime caterer apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:
- Prepare and serve dinner and a hot and cold buffet counter.
- Adhere to current food safety and hygiene requirements.
- Provide prompt first aid in the event of an accident or incident.
- Take occupational health and safety precautions and safe working practices, such as COSWP2 and COSHH3 guidelines, as well as drug and alcohol policies, into consideration.
- Follow legislation and industry requirements for safe boat work, giving specific attention to entering and operating in tight spaces.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- Apprentices must pass the medical entry requirements defined in MCA regulations (i.e., the ENG14 seafarer medical certificate) before starting the apprenticeship.
- Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level before taking the end-point assessment
Assessment methods
The End Point Assessment comprises two distinct assessment methods:
- Observation
- Oral Test
Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion
- Duration: 24 months
-
Level: 2 – Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Relevant school subjects: Food technology
- Potential salary upon completion: £23,000 per annum
Apprenticeship standard
More information about the Level 2 Maritime Caterer Apprenticeship standard can be found here.
Apprenticeship end point assessment
For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page