Job Title: Marine / Powerboat Instructor & Bosun (Level 5 Coaching Apprenticeship)
Location: Chieftain Training in Hamble & Southampton (across two sites)
Reporting to: Principal
Start Date: September or October 2025, (then 1 September each year thereafter)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Why This Role Is an Unmissable Opportunity
Join us and be part of something bigger. This isn’t just a role – it’s your gateway into a vibrant marine career. Over 14–16 months, you’ll balance time between college, working toward a Level 5 Coaching Professional qualification and vital hands-on, on-the-water experience at our training centres or at sea. After that you can continue with the company in a permanent role.
What You’ll Learn & Why It Matters
By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll be:
- Licensed to skipper commercial vessels up to 24 metres
- Certified to instruct across a broad spectrum of RYA, HSE, and MCA STCW courses
- Skilled in small craft maintenance, both routine and emergency repairs
- Seasoned in teaching, delivering content across multiple levels based on real-world marine scenarios
This is your chance to build a future in marine training—one that blends navigation, maintenance, leadership, and education.
Powerboat Instructor & Bosun (Trainee) Key Responsibilities
This position involves both instructing and maintenance, in about equal measures.
- Assist with the maintenance of our Southampton and Hamble training centres and equipment
- Assist with maintenance of our powered craft
- Assist Instructors as required
- Conduct monthly safety checks
- Shadow experienced Instructors and then begin instructing
- Crew and then skipper powerboats and motorboats
- Lifeguard and assist our survival training courses
Working Hours
- 70% hands-on training and duties
- 20% college-based learning
- 10% on leave
- 100% being paid
Expect a varied and action-packed working week across our Southampton & Hamble locations, with occasional exposure to the wider UK marine scene as Chieftain grows.
Who We’re Looking For
Must-haves
- Aged 18+ with the right to work in the UK
- Hold a valid driving licence and have your own vehicle
- GCSE grade 4+ in English and Maths
- One of the following:
- An advanced RYA qualification or instructor certificate
- A strong powerboating or watersports background
- Engineering or Skilled trade training/experience
- SAR, EMT/paramedic
- Lifeguard
- Confident swimmer
- Within 40-minute commute of SO31 4RA and SO18 1GN
- ML5 or ENG1 medical certificate*
*Assuming you are in good health you can apply for this position without holding the medical, but if we offer you a position we will expect you to complete the medical (at your expense) before you start work. Once you are employed by us we will pay for future medicals.
Would be great if you have:
- Maintenance capability
- Comfort with everyday office software
- Non-smoker (preferred)
Training You’ll Undertake
You’ll complete a wide array of certifications, including but not limited to:
- RYA courses: Powerboat Levels 2, Intermediate, Advanced, Instructor Skills, and more
- Nautical navigation: Day Skipper Power, Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased
- Safety & engineering: Diesel engines, marine electrics, First Aid, STCW survival & First Aid
- Instructor skills: RYA Powerboat Instructor & IMO Instructor Course.
On successful completion of the RYA Powerboat Instructor course and IMO Instructor Courses (above) we will then develop you in one or more of the following areas:
- Advanced Motor boating to Yachtmaster Offshore (Power) and RYA Motor Cruising Instructor
- RYA, HSE and STCW First Aid Instructor
- RYA Advanced Powerboat COC, Advanced Powerboat Instructor and RYA Navigation Instructor
- RYA SRC Assessor, MCA Long Range Certificate and MCA LRC Instructor/Assessor
- Pool Lifeguard and STCW Survival Instructor
This ensures you build not just expertise, but career flexibility and resilience. For your Level 5 qualification some college sessions may also be delivered remotely via Microsoft Teams. Please note: the academic element of the apprenticeship will include self-study and homework. Upon successful completion, your employment will continue with us in a permanent capacity. We work with Southampton, Fareham, and Eastleigh Colleges, offering flexibility in where you attend.
Benefits & Compensation
- Year 1: £15,015 (aligned with HMRC apprentice wage)
- Year 2: £19,500–£24,000 (based on age & experience)
- 5-day working week including some weekends (expect to work or train up to 22 weekends a year).
- 28 days annual leave (incl. public holidays and a block at Christmas)
- Comprehensive training covered
- Pension scheme, free parking, travel insurance for overseas training representation
- Employee benefits, https://chieftain.training/employee-benefits/
- Remote working is not an option for this role
Professional Fees & Expenses
We cover the costs of all of your course fees and your commercial endorsement fee, however you will have to budget for professional membership and exam fees. The list below is a guide and is not exhaustive, costs are correct at the time of writing (August 2025).
- RYA Membership £59 / year (£29 if you are under 25) paid mid way through year 1 and then annually
- RYA Short Range Certificate Exam Fee, £76, paid in the first quarter of year 1
- RYA Advanced Powerboat Exam Fee, £221, paid mid way through year 1
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Exam Fee, £256, paid in year 2
We provide a considerable number of course handbooks for you to keep and we loan you a life jacket and waterproofs (for power boating and motor boating). We provide a wetsuit and impact vests for PWC (jet skiing) however you will need;
- Sailing wellies
- Fleece & thermals
- Gloves, hat, sunglasses
- Sailing knife or multitool
- Additional books
Key Dates
Recruitment for 2025 has now taken place.
| APPLICATION PERIOD | SELECTION DATE | START DATE | PLACES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May – 21 June 2026 | Tuesday 30 June 2026 | 1 September 2026 | 2 |
| 1 May – 20 June 2027 | Tuesday 29 June 2027 | 1 September 2027 | TBC |
Please do not apply before the application period. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an in-person selection day at our Hamble centre. All candidates who attend selection will be notified of the outcome within three working days. Potential applicants are gently encouraged to save the selection-day slot—it’s an in-person event at Hamble.
Summary
This is more than a job—it’s your launchpad into the marine world, blending technical skill-building with professional certification. You’ll evolve into a qualified skipper, instructor, maintainer, and educator—all while working with a welcoming team and industry-respected training centre.
Ready to make waves in your career? Visit Chieftain’s application page, details below.
Application
Complete the online application form at https://chieftain.training/applying-for-work/ during the “application period,” detailed above
If you have any specific questions about the position email us at recruitment@chieftain.training
Applications made by parents on behalf of their children will not be accepted.