§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason his Department is replacing the post of engineering artificer in the Navy with the post of engineering technician; and what difference there will be in the qualifications required for the new post. [166689]
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§ Mr. IngramA review of the structure, organisation and training of both the Warfare and Engineering Branches of the Royal Navy is currently taking place. It is probable that the term engineering; technician will be adopted for all members of the engineering branch below the rank of Commissioned Officer, replacing the artificer and mechanic titles currently in use. The title artificer no longer adequately describes the professional role that those personnel undertake in the modern Navy. Replacing them with engineering technicians will align the Navy with the standards of competence published by the Engineering Council United Kingdom, and refresh the image of this key role against increasingly competitive recruitment market forces.
No change is anticipated to the entry qualifications for Naval Engineering Technicians Men and women will be able to join with a range of academic qualifications that span those for today's mechanics and artificers. Once they have completed basic training, engineering technicians will progress according to their abilities, with the most able continuing to have opportunities for promotion to the officer corps.