Engineering Trades Apprenticeship

Programme title: Engineering Trades Apprenticeship
Level: SCQF Level 7
Salary: £16,000, rising annually to £38,461 post-apprenticeship
Location: HM Naval Base Clyde, Scotland  
Application closing date: March 2025
Programme start date: August 2025

Role ID: 60383

Ready to learn a skilled trade? On our 4-year Engineering 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 engineering apprenticeship. Our engineers are at the forefront of maintaining the Royal Navy’s fleet.

As an Engineering Technician, you'll contribute to the maintenance, upgrades and repairs of ships, submarines and infrastructure at HM Naval Base Clyde. 

You’ll work on a variety of projects including the Vanguard and Astute-Class nuclear submarines. You’ll also provide support to facilities management, helping keep the naval base running safely and efficiently.
  
This varied and exciting programme covers Mechanical, Electrical, Fabrication and Welding trades. You'll be assigned one of these trade routes to specialise in. 

Find out more about each of the trades below. You’ll be asked to indicate your preferences during the recruitment process.

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. 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.

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 4-year programme incorporates classroom learning plus on-the-job training. You'll study core engineering principles plus develop specialist skills in mechanical, electrical, fabrication or welding. 

As part of your apprenticeship, you will receive training at West College Scotland. During your apprenticeship, you will study towards:  

• SVQ Level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations at SCQF Level 5
• SVQ Level 3 in your chosen engineering discipline/trade route at SCQF Level 6
• National Certificate in your chosen discipline/trade route at SCQF Level 6
• HNC in your chosen discipline/trade route at SCQF Level 7 (optional)

  
Through a combination of classroom learning and onsite training, you’ll develop well-rounded engineering competencies and behaviours, preparing you for a successful career in the industry.   

Future prospects

Upon successfully completing the programme, you’ll become a qualified Engineering Technician, specialising in your chosen field (mechanical fitting, electrical fitting, fabricating or welding).  

Upon programme completion, you can expect to earn a competitive salary c.£38,460.  

You may also have the opportunity to undertake higher-level qualifications to further your career within Babcock across a variety of roles and functions. 

What you’ll need

• National Level 5 qualifications (or equivalent) in Maths and English, and a Science or technical subject.  
• Two other qualifications at National Level 4 or 5 or above.
• 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.