[Notice] Shipping Apprentices Wanted, Deadline Approaching

The Engineering Candidate Hawsepipe (TECH) program is a comprehensive training program for selected high school graduates who want to pursue careers as seagoing marine engineers. Is this for me? Candidates must meet the United States Coast Guard (USCG) medical requirements for a licensed engineer, and demonstrate high standards of academic achievement and engineering aptitude.  Recruiting for the inaugural class has begun and applications will close on 27 September 2013.  Applications should be submitted in accordance with the procedures detailed on this site.

American Maritime Officers (AMO), the largest union of US licensed merchant marine officers and the Seafarers International Union (SIU), the largest union of unlicensed mariners are working together on this project with the purpose of providing selected candidates with the opportunity to proceed on a marine engineering career path and help fill the current shortage of marine engineers.  The program targets high performing recent high school graduates with an interest in the merchant marine and mentors them during intense training onboard ship and ashore.

The TECH program will take approximately 2.5 to 3 years to complete and has nine (9) phases. The phases can be viewed here.

Fees, compensation and benefits while in the TECH program.

There are no tuition or room and board fees for this program and all transportation costs incurred in completing the program are covered, provided the individual agrees to complete the program successfully and sail as a licensed engineer for AMO upon completion.

There are, however, limited fees to be paid by the candidate for the following (financial assistance may be available if required):

Medical and dental examinations associated with the application process and USCG physicals

TSA and USCG fees to obtain TWIC and USCG MMC

Uniform fees for initial phases of the program

Transportation costs to STAR Center (Ft. Lauderdale) for initial program orientation

Union dues as a member of Seafarers International Union and applicant candidate of AMO upon transition

While in the program TECH candidates will receive a limited stipend during certain shoreside training portions and all apprentice engineering assignments onboard ship. In addition, individual medical benefit coverage will be provided to the TECH candidate through the SIU and AMO.

The program meets all current requirements of the US Code of Federal Regulation part 46 to obtain a license as a 3rd Assistant Engineer Motor Unlimited Horsepower for service in domestic and international sea service.  The program consists of a combination of classroom, laboratory, simulation and shipboard sea projects, completed over a period of 2.5 to 3 years of actual training. The program covers all domestic requirements and the Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiency (KUP) required by the international Standards of Training, Certification and Watchstanding (STCW) Code.

Following a detailed application and selection process, training will begin at the Seafarers International Union (SIU) Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship (SHLSS) at Piney Point, Maryland and progress through alternating phases of shipboard and shoreside training, completing the program at American Maritime Officers' STAR Center in Dania Beach, Florida. Both schools are USCG approved training facilities offering numerous Coast Guard approved training courses and both facilities are subject to third party Quality Audits. Candidates will be assessed throughout the program and will need to demonstrate comprehension of the subject matter before proceeding to the next phase of training.

Shipboard training and sea projects will be accomplished under the supervision of licensed engineers onboard operating ships who meet USCG designated assessor standards. Sea projects will be assessed by STAR Center's engineering staff. Only those trainees who have performed well at sea and whose projects are approved as meeting minimum standards will be permitted to proceed to the next phase of training.

Upon successful completion and issuance of a 3 A/E Merchant Mariner Credential, the candidate will be afforded full applicant status and employment with American Maritime Officers (AMO) in line with the organization's rules and requirements, including dues and initiation fees. There are significant benefits that come with AMO employment.

Candidate selection for the program will include objective testing, personal recommendations / character references and an essay submission that will be used to determine both communication and critical thinking skills. The objective of the selection process is to identify those applicants most likely to successfully complete the training program.

Interested candidates should click here for full details regarding the application process.