Engineer’s Mate rate training was first authorized in late 2145, but it was not until February 2146 in which a first course of students was assembled. The rate training course is a follow-on to Starfleet Basic Training and certified Starfleet Crewman to perform duties in engineering, maintenance, and similar duties (the exception being electrician duties for which a separate course existed). The Engineer’s Mate Rate Training Course covered both planetary facilities as well as Starfleet space vessels; per Starfleet training directive #31 graduates of the course were required to hold the highest maintenance and damage control ratings in order to be successfully rated as Engineer’s Mates.