The Engine Room Rating course provides training to those who would like to have a sea-going career but have little or no previous marine experience. This 10-week entry level course provides the knowledge and skills required to understand the specific duties and responsibilities relating to the safe operation and servicing of machinery in the engine room of a vessel.

This training course is intended to prepare the student to challenge the Engine Room Rating exam and is designed to meet the Transport Canada standards as per TP10933. As such, Transport Canada requires that students maintain an attendance standard of 90% during the course and a pass mark of 60% for the final course mark.

The Engine Room Rating Certificate of Competency is issued by Transport Canada.  After successfully completing the ERR course at Holland College, you will require an additional 90 days of sea service onboard a vessel.  You must submit all of your training certificates, and Statement of Sea Service (documenting three months of sea service) to Transport Canada, and then you will receive an Examiner's Certificate which will allow you to work as ERR in Canadian waters. After earning a total of six months of sea service onboard a vessel, you can obtain your Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft and at that point, you can get an unrestricted Engine Room Rating Certificate of Competency which will allow you to work as ERR in international waters. 

The Engine Room Rating Certificate of Competency allows you to work as part of a team during shipboard activities including the following:

• Assisting the Engineer of the Watch
• Maintenance of main propulsion and various systems aboard the vessel
• Ensuring a clean, safe work environment
• Monitoring instruments and recording information
• Emergency response

In addition to the ERR Training Certificate, you will also receive the Vessel Personnel with Security Responsibilities (VPWSR).

Prerequisites:

• 18 years of age
• Valid Transport Canada Marine Medical *
• STCW Basic Safety, STCW Survival Craft, Marine Basic First Aid (These courses are typically offered immediately after the ERR program)

*To work as part of the Engine Room watch, you must be medically fit to work at sea and you must not be colour blind.  Therefore, it is extremely important for students to obtain their Marine Medicals as soon as possible.  It is beneficial for the student to know their results before confirming their seat for the course.

Due to the international nature of sea-going careers, it is also advisable to have a valid passport, but it is not required as part of this course.