Engineering Design and Draughtsperson Apprentice

Programme title: Engineering Design and Draughtsperson Apprenticeship
Level: 3
Salary: 
Year 1: £15,878
Year 2: £20,312
Year 3: £26,346
Year 4: £31,210
Location: Devonport, Plymouth 
Application closing date: March 2025  
Programme start date: September 2025

Role ID: 60315

Do you want to turn your passion for engineering design into a rewarding career? Our 4-year apprenticeship gives you hands-on CAD experience creating advanced designs for the Royal Navy fleet.

About the programme

This is no ordinary engineering apprenticeship. As a design and draughtsperson, you'll produce detailed drawings, models and specs to guide the manufacture and maintenance of state-of-the-art maritime vessels and infrastructure.

Focusing on electrical, mechanical or structural design, you'll work on varied projects including submarine and warship refits. Using the latest CAD software and following codes and standards, you'll help to solve real-world engineering challenges.

You'll gain a broad range of skills including:

• Interpreting technical specifications.
• Assessing design factors and constraints.
• Creating CAD models and drawings.
• Evaluating and refining designs.
• Communicating options to stakeholders.

You’ll also have the opportunity to embark on work placements across the site, gaining valuable insights into various operations from a design perspective. 

This will prepare you to join a specialised team of designers who work on a diverse range of projects, including design packages to support submarines and surface vessels.

Your education/training

You’ll spend an initial period of time  at City College, Plymouth, learning the basics. Then you'll put theory into practice as you alternate college and onsite work in the remainder of year 1 and years 2 and 3. In year 4, you'll be fully immersed, solving challenges alongside experienced designers.

Along the way, you’ll study towards a Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering to complement your on-the-job training.

Future prospects

On finishing your apprenticeship, you’ll be ready to start an exciting career as an Engineering Design and Draughtsperson, supporting the Royal Navy’s fleet.

What you’ll need

• At least 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 including English, Maths and Science/Technology.
• Many of our early careers roles are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which roles you are eligible for. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). For our early careers roles, you must be able to achieve BPSS (Baseline security) and many of them require you to be eligible for full Security Clearance.

What you’ll get

We will provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your
career. 

In addition, you’ll benefit from:
 

• Fully funded qualification
• Personal development training and opportunities
• Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
• Competitive pension scheme 
• Employee share scheme
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal

 
You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.

Your career development

It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.

Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme.

Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.

Closing dates   

Please be aware that if there is a high level of interest in this programme, applications may close earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered for a place on this programme, please submit your application as early as possible
 

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