Project Management Graduate Apprenticeship

Programme title: Project Management Graduate Apprenticeship

Level: SCQF Level 10

Salary:

Year 1: £18,819

Year 2: £22,857

Year 3: £26,884

Year 4: £32,261

Location: Rosyth, Scotland

Application closing date: 8th December 2026

Programme start date: September 2027

Our 4-year Project Management Graduate Apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to contribute to some of the UK’s most important defence programmes, all while working towards a postgraduate degree and building a rewarding career in Project Management.

About the programme 

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience supporting major programmes, including the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates and the UK Submarine Dismantling Programme. You’ll play a role in the delivery, maintenance, and transformation of some of the UK’s most advanced naval platforms while developing an understanding of how large-scale projects are managed.

As part of the programme, you’ll work alongside experienced professionals and gain exposure to emerging technologies and modern approaches to delivery, including digital project controls, data-driven decision making, advanced planning and scheduling tools, sustainability and environmentally responsible programme delivery, and systems integration and modern engineering practices.

Through a combination of practical experience and structured development, you’ll build a strong foundation in project management, developing skills in stakeholder engagement and communication, planning and delivery, risk and opportunity management, change and cost control, and data-led reporting and decision making. You’ll also develop a broader understanding of the technical and operational challenges involved in delivering complex engineering programmes.

Your education/training 

As part of your apprenticeship, you'll study towards an MA in Business Management with Heriot-Watt University, combining academic learning with practical experience in the workplace.

Our apprenticeship programme follows the proven 70:20:10 development model, giving you the ideal balance of experience, support and formal learning:

• 70% workplace experience: Rotate through Project Controls placements and contribute to real projects and programmes.
• 20% coaching and mentoring: Learn from experienced professionals who will guide and support your development.
• 10% formal learning: Work towards a recognised postgraduate qualification alongside your role.

You'll also follow a structured Project Management Career Framework, providing a clear pathway for your development and future progression at Babcock.

By the end of the programme, you'll have developed a strong foundation in core project management disciplines, practical business knowledge, and the skills needed to build a successful long-term career in Project Management.

Future prospects 

Upon successful completion of the programme, you'll be ready to step into a Project Assistant or an assistant Project Manager role, with a competitive salary of up to £39,000.

From there, your development doesn’t stop. 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 

• You'll need one of the following:
  • SQA Highers at BBBB (over two sittings), including English  
  • A-Levels at BBC, including English
  • Int. Baccalaureate 29 points 
  • SQA HNC in a relevant subject (or a suitable Modern Apprenticeship) with B in the graded unit 
  • Foundation Apprenticeship in Business Skills in conjunction with other suitable qualifications
• You must be resident in Scotland, as Graduate Apprenticeships are only available to individuals living and working in Scotland. 
• This role requires on-site attendance. By your start date, you must be able to reliably commute to the site. This will normally require living within a reasonable commuting distance of Rosyth or relocating before you join us.  
• Many of our 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 and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) security clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search ‘United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels’.
• Under applicable national security legislation, this post may only be occupied by a UK national. This legal requirement is independent of our recruitment policies, and all eligible applicants will be assessed fairly and without discrimination.    

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.

Application process and important information

Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and if there’s a high level of interest in this programme, we may close applications earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.

Please apply to one programme only. If we receive more than one application from you, we’ll assess the first one submitted. If your chosen programme becomes oversubscribed, we may contact you to discuss other programmes you could be eligible for.

We're a Disability Confident Employer. If you require additional support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply. Our team will contact you after receiving your application to discuss your requirements and the support available.

We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.