Entity:

Supply, Trading & Shipping

Job Family Group:

Business Support Group, Shipping Group

Job Description:

About bp 

bp operates at the heart of the global energy system, helping countries meet their energy needs and serving millions of customers every day. With world-class assets, technology, trading capability and partnerships, we deliver energy at scale today while investing with discipline in the energy transition.

 

About bp shipping cadets

Picture yourself cruising the oceans on a multi-million-dollar Tanker, transporting commodities all over the world. And you could become a fully trained officer with internationally recognised qualifications in just three adventure-filled years. 

 

We will pay your exam and course fees and give you a generous allowance (starting at £11,000 per year) to help you enjoy your journey. 

 

Opportunity Information

Hot and frenetic, the engine room is the beating heart of any ship. Our training will teach you about the ship’s main engines and how to run and maintain the mechanical equipment on board.

 

You will split your time between maritime college and sea. At college you will learn about workshop skills, engineering science, analytical methods, pneumatics and hydraulics, instrumentation & control principles, marine electrical systems, diesel propulsion and more.

 

When at sea you will work day shifts and sometimes support watch keeping in the engine room. It means handling anything from stripping an engine and inspecting components, to following the path of water, oil or steam through the ship. You will be dealing with large machinery, so safety is critical. As an officer, you will also be in charge of the safety of all staff in the engine room.

 

This opportunity involves day/night shift work, so you need to be flexible in working hours. 

 

Please note: This is not a Sunbury-based opportunity. As part of the cadet programme, you will alternate between studying at your designated nautical college (South Shields or Fleetwood College) and gaining practical experience at sea onboard one of our LNG Carriers.

 

Minimum Entry Level Requirements

• 48 UCAS points including 12 UCAS points from a Maths and/or Science subject and 4 GCSE’s at grade 4 / Grade C (or above) must include Mathematics, a Physical Science and *English Language

Or

• Successful completion of a maritime/engineering HNC or HND (**or equivalent as approved by the college such as a level 3 pre cadetship) and 4 GCSE’s at grade 4 / Grade C (or above) in all the following subjects: mathematics​, physical science​ and *English language

Or

• Qualifications equivalent to this level and discipline, which must include either GCSE pass at grade 4 / Grade C or above in mathematics​, physical science​ and *English language OR International *English language Testing Services (IELTS) grade 5.0 or higher
• Must be 18 years old by 1st September 2027
• Applicants normal place of residency is in the UK
• Applicants must successfully complete a company medical, an industry-standard medical examination, relevant background checks, and any required vaccinations to be eligible to undertake a placement at sea

 

* English language proficiency is required to meet the requirements of the college course and for safe working at sea. As English is the working language on board the vessels, cadets must be able to understand and communicate effectively in English, including in relation to safety instructions and procedures.

To enable us to assess your eligibility against the Minimum Entry Level Requirements, please provide full details of your relevant qualifications, including:

• Name of qualification
• Subjects studied
• Grade achieved (or predicted)

This information should be provided either within your CV or in response to the relevant qualification question(s) within the application form.

We can only progress applications where sufficient information has been provided to confirm that the Minimum Entry Level Requirements are met. Where the required information has not been provided and we are therefore unable to confirm eligibility, the application will not be progressed and may be withdrawn from the recruitment process.

Please ensure the information provided is complete and accurate before submitting your application.

What will you gain after completion of programme

This will depend on what qualifications you already hold. 

Once trained and qualified, you will have a UK foundation degree or college diploma in marine engineering and an engineer watch keeping officer certificate of competency from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Depending on your academic qualifications you may have the opportunity to complete a BSc (Hons) in Marine Engineering.

Your growth is important to us. After all, it’s our team’s dedication and expertise that help us achieve and develop. You will find a culture where learning’s encouraged, with all manner of training available. Becoming a trained officer is only the start. From here, once you qualify as a Engineering Officer, you can pursue career opportunities to progress up the ranks to a Gas Engineer, 2nd Engineer and even Chief Engineer. 

 

Other Information 

Please note the following when applying: 

• You can only apply to one bp early careers opportunity globally per academic year – within this time, we will only process the first application you make. You will be withdrawn from any subsequent applications.  
• Assessment centres are a key part of the assessment process and will be in person – bp will cover reasonable travel and accommodation costs, in line with the travel policy which will be shared with you. Please ensure you will be available to attend in person.
• Accommodation – once confirmed, where you need or decide to move closer to your location, you are responsible for organising and funding this accommodation.

 

 

Adjustments

We are keen to make our recruitment process accessible to all. If you require any adjustments/accommodations, to any stage of the recruitment process, please mention this in the allocated section on your initial application form. Someone will then be in touch to discuss or confirm the adjustments/accommodations as appropriate for you.

Alternatively, if you would like to discuss adjustments before applying, please get in touch:

https://careers.bp.com/contact-us

Travel Requirement

Up to 50% travel should be expected with this role

Relocation Assistance:

This role is not eligible for relocation

Remote Type:

This position is a hybrid of office/remote working

Skills:

.

Future Location Notice:  This role will start in Sunbury, London. bp has announced a planned office move to Timber Square, London, with all positions currently advertised in Sunbury, including this one, expected to relocate around Q4 2027-Q1 2028. This presents an exciting opportunity for all employees and leaders to come together in one London location. The specific date of the move will be confirmed closer to the time.

Legal Disclaimer:

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics like race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us.

If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.