It's a Weapon Engineering First for Accelerated Apprentices

It was a momentous occasion at HMS Collingwood recently when the first Accelerated Apprentices successfully passed out from their Leading Engineering Technician (Weapon Engineering) (LET(WE)) Qualifying Course.

Having joined the Royal Navy in November 2017 the students spent the first 10 weeks at HMS Raleigh where they were ‘transformed’ into sailors. From there they joined HMS Collingwood to complete their Phase 2 training, the first phase of their professional training, which they completed in September 2018. During this period they also grasped the opportunity to display their spare capacity by taking part in and submitting an entry into the Royal Navy Engineering Challenge 2018.

Following their graduation from Phase 2, the Apprentices embarked in HMS Queen Elizabeth for their initial sea training. During this time they began to learn about each of the Weapon Engineering sections on board, learning how they are run and the different roles required to manage the department. They were also able to shadow more experienced ETs and LETs, helping them to understand their future roles and responsibilities once they became fully trained.

The first group of Apprentices began their Phase 3 training course in January 2019. During this 9 month course they began to learn the bedrock of the skills and knowledge required to prepare them to join the fleet as future Section Heads.

Having passed out they will now undertake their Leading Rates Leadership Course (LRLC) at the Royal Navy Leadership Academy, within HMS Collingwood, which will complete in November 2019. After this they will be fully trained and qualified Leading Hands ready to join their first ships in their new, management positions. 

LET Callum Groom, 20, from Glasgow, said of the course “It was full on from day one, but it tested us, and pushed us to a higher level. I enjoyed the challenge and feel ready to take on my next role as a Section head.” On completion of his LRLC he will join HMS Defender.

LET Vincent Marshall, 20, from Derby said “Learning new skills and knowledge that is relevant to the job we are going to do, was fast paced but rewarding. I’m now looking forward to joining HMS Prince of Wales and putting into practice everything that I have learned.”

LET Jacob Barlow, also 20, from Manchester, said “It’s been well structured, and rewarding, we always had our targets to reach and set subjects we were working towards.  It’ll be good to get onboard as an LET and begin to carry out what we’ve learnt.” He will join HMS Somerset on completion of his LRLC.