Large Goods Vehicle Driver Apprenticeship

Programme title: Large Goods Vehicle Driver Apprenticeship
Level: 2
Salary: £12,500
Location: Devonport, Plymouth
Application closing date: March 2025
Programme start date: September 2025 
Role ID: 60305

Want to be part of a team where everyone plays a crucial role in delivering vital services to the Royal Navy? Our 16-month Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Driver Apprenticeship will give you the skills you need to become a successful Transport Operative and launch an exciting and varied career in logistics. 

About the programme

At Babcock, defence logistics is more than just moving goods - it's about ensuring that our servicemen and women have what they need, when they need it, wherever they are in the world. As an LGV Driver Apprentice at Devonport Royal Dockyard, you will play a key role in this mission, learning how to safely deliver loads on time and provide reliable passenger transport services for both Babcock and our Royal Navy customers. Whether moving critical supplies or transporting people, your role will be vital in keeping operations running smoothly.

Safety is at the core of our logistics operations. Throughout your apprenticeship, you will learn how to maintain the integrity of your load and vehicle by performing essential vehicle checks, applying safe load restraint procedures, and practicing fuel-efficient driving. You will also gain a thorough understanding of workplace health and safety regulations, the highway code, traffic legislation, and working time directive laws.

As an LGV Driver, you will interact with a wide range of people daily, including transport planners, transport managers, fellow drivers, and customers. You will master the art of providing excellent customer service, using effective communication techniques and problem-solving skills to ensure a high-quality service, even when challenges arise.

Your education/training

You will train to achieve the Level 2 LGV Driver apprenticeship standard.

Your training will be divided between in-person sessions at our training provider’s premises in Marsh Barton, Exeter, and onsite at Devonport Royal Dockyard (travel costs to Exeter will be covered by Babcock). 

After the initial 13-month training period, you will enter the End Point Assessment (EPA) phase for the final three months of the programme. This phase will include a practical driving assessment, a multiple-choice test, and an interview to demonstrate your skills and competence. 

As part of your training, you will obtain both the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) and the Category C+E licence, which are legal requirements for driving LGVs professionally.

Future prospects

By the end of your apprenticeship, you will be ready to take on the role of Transport Operative within our Transport Department at Devonport Royal Dockyard, with a competitive salary of £30,000.

As you progress, you will have the opportunity to further develop your skills and potentially advance to a Senior Transport Operative role. Additionally, you may have the option to obtain your Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence, expanding your career opportunities across various roles and functions.

We work closely with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) to provide all members of our Logistics team with the chance to enhance their professional skills as they advance in their careers. With a wide range of training programmes, leadership development opportunities, and career progression paths, your potential is limitless.

What you’ll need

Due to the nature of this apprenticeship, all applicants must be over 18 years of age. You’ll also need:

• A full, clean driving licence. 
• GCSEs in Mathematics and English at grade 3/D are beneficial but not mandatory. For applicants who do not hold qualifications in Maths and English, please note that you may be required to undertake L2 Functional Skills in Maths and English during your apprenticeship.
• Strong communication skills.
• A can-do attitude, a self-motivator, and a collaborative team player.
• 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 and many of them require you to be eligible for Security Clearance.

What you’ll get 

We’ll 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.