Project Controls Apprenticeship

Programme title: Project Controls Apprenticeship 
Level: SCQF Level 7
Salary: £16,000, rising annually to c.£30,000 post-apprenticeship
Location: HM Naval Base Clyde
Application closing date: March 2025
Programme start date: September 2025

This 4-year apprenticeship offers an excellent introduction to the world of project controls and engineering. You will gain technical qualifications while contributing to significant real-world projects that support the Royal Navy.

About the programme 

This role is based within the Project Controls team, supporting our Fleet contracts with the Royal Navy at HM Naval Base Clyde. This includes the maintenance of both Vanguard and Astute Class submarines.

Throughout the apprenticeship, you will gain exposure to various project controls functions, including Risk Management, Change Control, Estimating, Cost Control, Governance, Forecasting, and Planning. In the early stages, you will learn how these functions integrate, and by the end of the programme, you will specialise in one area, developing expertise that will provide a strong foundation for your chosen career path.

Your education/training 

As part of your apprenticeship, you will receive the following training at West College Scotland:

• SVQ 2 Performing Engineering Operations at SCQF Level 5
• NC in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering at SCQF Level 6
• SVQ 3 in Engineering Technical Services at SCQF Level 7
• HNC in Engineering Systems at SCQF Level 7

In addition, you will work towards the Association for Project Management (APM) Project Fundamentals Qualification, further enhancing your project management knowledge.

Future prospects  

Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be ready to step into a Project Controls role within the function you specialised in during your final year. You can expect to receive a competitive starting salary of over £30,000.

We offer a well-defined career progression pathway, beginning with Assistant Specialist, advancing to Specialist, and progressing to Senior Specialist roles. Additionally, there are opportunities to move between different project controls functions or to develop into management roles within Project Management or the Programme Management Office.

What you’ll need  

• Maths at National 5 or above or equivalent.
• English at National 5 or above or equivalent.
• Science or Technical subject at National 5 or above or equivalent.
• Two other subjects at National 4 or National 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 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.