The Navy Gap Year Mechanical Engineer role is a unique opportunity where you’ll get to work alongside fully qualified Mechanical Engineers, all without needing any prior qualifications. You'll experience what it's like to work with mechanical engineering systems, get paid to travel and gain invaluable life and work experience, while making friendships that could last a lifetime.
You’ll learn how Navy engineers manage the operation, maintenance and repair of the engineering plan critical to the ship's mission. You'll be be immersed in this world of Navy innovation and engineering, exposed to a full range of engineering systems, including diesel engines, gas turbines, ventilation, power generation or hydraulics. These specialists have dealt with engineering challenges both at sea and ashore, so they have a wealth of knowledge to pass on. You’ll also gain leadership skills as you watch them oversee their teams to keep the ship ready for service.
You will be supported throughout your training by professional and enthusiastic Navy personnel who will provide the guidance necessary for you to get the most out of this experience. Your Gap Year will be broken up into different stages. This will give you the opportunity to receive basic training and to tour Navy's shore establishments. You will experience life at sea, as well as what it is like to be employed ashore. As a Navy Gap Year officer, you will be provided with the opportunity to contribute to the operation of the ship or unit.
Your training will begin at the Royal Australian Naval College (RANC), HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay, NSW, where you'll complete a 15-week course alongside other new Navy officers prior to continuing with the program. RANC is an energetic environment where you will be challenged to meet Navy standards of fitness, demeanour and behaviour.
Coupled with the highest standard of leadership training, the skills you'll gain across this role are transferable to other management and leadership positions and will provide you a unique edge.
At the end of the Gap Year program, you can choose to continue your career in the Navy or use the skills and experiences you’ve gained to move into an alternative career path. There’s no obligation to serve beyond the one-year program period.
Note: The program is designed to offer workplace experience as a Mechanical Engineer, not to provide training that qualifies you for the role. Find out more about the full-time role here.