Engineering Technician Trades Apprenticeship

Programme title: Engineering Technician Trades Apprenticeship
Level: 3
Salary:

Year 1: £16,513

Year 2: £21,124

Year 3: £27,400

Year 4: £32,458

Post apprenticeship: c.£35,000
Location: Devonport, Plymouth 
Application closing date: 12th March 2026

Programme start date: September 2026

Role ID: 67801

Ready to learn a skilled trade? On our 3.5-year Engineering Technician Trades Apprenticeship, you’ll develop specialist engineering trade skills and gain hands-on experience maintaining the Royal Navy's fleet.

About the programme

This is no ordinary apprenticeship. Our engineering technicians are at the forefront of maintaining the Royal Navy’s fleet.

As an Engineering Technician, you'll contribute to the design, manufacture, installation, operation or maintenance of systems on ships, submarines and infrastructure. 

This varied and exciting programme covers trades including Mechanical, Electrical, Fabrication, CNC Machining, Pipefitting and Welding. You’ll be assigned one of these trade routes to specialise in, each explained below.

As part of the interview, you will be asked to select your first and second preferred trade choice and explain your reasons for choosing it. This helps us understand your interests, motivations, and how your strengths align with the role.

Mechanical Fitting 

You’ll be trained to use a variety of hand and machine tools whilst learning how to identify faults and return equipment to working condition. You’ll be involved in the installation, commissioning, maintenance and repair of a wide range of equipment including engines, pumps, valves and hydraulic equipment. You could even work on complex weapon systems and nuclear reactor systems.

Electrical Fitting

You’ll learn how to use electrical engineering drawings and specifications to strip, rebuild, test and maintain a wide range of electrical equipment and machinery. You’ll gain knowledge and practical skills that will enable you to install, connect and assist in the commission of complex electrical circuits which could see you work on projects such as warships and nuclear submarines. You will also help to maintain the vast network of cables and machinery that is essential to the daily running of the site.

Fabricating

You will manufacture a wide range of components and construct minor and major ship structures such as the hull, shell, deck, bulkheads, seats, frames and girders using a range of metals. You’ll be trained in outfitting steelwork components, including the installation of doors, auxiliary seating, ladders, hatches and platforms. You will also learn to tack weld using different welding processes and will be trained to use thermal cutting equipment, power tools and metalworking machinery.

Welding

You'll be trained in various welding processes, including MIG, MMA, TIG, and MAG, progressing to Class 1 certification, which qualifies you to work on structural components of submarines and warships, including below the waterline. Your work will range from factory-based manufacturing to major structural welding on Royal Navy vessels. One day, you might be in the factory, and the next, you could be welding structural packages beneath a submarine. With such varied tasks, no two days will be the same, and you'll play a vital role in supporting the Royal Navy's operations.

CNC Machining 

You will learn the various processes involved in producing precision components, from raw material state through to testing the integrity of the finished item. These components will be manufactured on CNC Turning and Milling Machines. You will learn how to manufacture basic and complex components from Engineering Drawings and learn how to work with CAD/CAM software and 3D models to produce complex components. 

Pipefitting 

Using a range of materials, from plastic to high-quality stainless steel used on submarine reactor systems, you’ll be involved in the manufacture and installation of low and high pressure pipe systems such as water, air, hydraulics, steam and fuel. You’ll learn a range of skills including how to interpret engineering drawings, how to fabricate pipes and pipe brazing. You can expect a varied workload working on ships, submarines as well as in the workshop and service systems within the dockyard.

Wherever you find yourself, you'll gain knowledge and skills in:

• Health and safety
• Planning and documentation
• Engineering mathematical and scientific principles
• Methods and techniques
• Structure, properties and characteristics of materials
• Diagnostic methods to overcome problems
• Interpreting engineering drawings and data
• Adhering to and refining processes and procedures

Your education/training

This 3.5-year programme combines classroom learning with hands-on, on-the-job training. You’ll study core engineering principles while developing specialist skills in one of the following areas: mechanical, electrical, fabrication, CNC machining, welding, or pipefitting.

In your first year, you’ll be based full-time at City College Plymouth, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of engineering. For those specialising in CNC machining, this full-time college period will last six months.

In years 2 and 3, you’ll attend college one day a week and spend the remaining four days working in the dockyard at HM Naval Base Devonport.

While at the dockyard, you’ll be fully immersed in real-world engineering challenges, working alongside experienced professionals. Through departmental rotations, you’ll gain broad exposure to our operations and build a strong foundation of technical expertise. We’ll support you in developing both the skills and behaviours needed to thrive in this vital role.

The programme concludes with the End Point Assessment. Successfully passing this assessment earns you a nationally recognised Level 3 apprenticeship certificate in your chosen trade.

Future prospects

Upon successfully completing the programme, you’ll become a qualified Engineering Technician, specialising in your chosen field (mechanical fitting, electrical fitting, fabricating, CNC machining, pipefitting or welding). You’ll be expected to stay within this role for three years to help you gain further experience, consolidate your skills, and contribute meaningfully to your team before applying for higher education or other roles within the organisation.

Upon programme completion, you can expect to earn a competitive salary exceeding £35,000.

Through the Babcock Role Framework, you’ll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with mapped-out pathways, development opportunities and the tools you need to get wherever you want to go.

What you’ll need

• A minimum of 3 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above, including English, Maths and a Science or Technology based subject.
• Logical thinking and problem-solving aptitude.
• Responsible approach to safety and quality assurance.
• Due to ID requirements for entry to the Devonport Dockyard, you will need to provide either a valid passport or a provisional/full UK driving licence. If you do not currently hold one of these forms of ID, we strongly recommend applying in advance to ensure smooth access on your first day.
• Many of our apprenticeship programmes 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 programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

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.

Application process and closing dates  

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the programme may close early if we receive a high volume of interest. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we strongly recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.