Engineering Technician and Fitting Apprenticeship

Programme title: Engineering Technician and Fitting Apprenticeship
Level: 3
Salary: £16,191
Location: Bristol 
Application closing date: March 2025
Programme start date: September 2025
Role ID: 60248

Ready to learn a skilled trade? Join our Engineering Technician and Fitting Apprenticeship to kick-start your career in manufacturing while working on Royal Navy submarines.

About the programme 

On our Engineering Technician and Fitting Apprenticeship, you will embark on a rewarding career path as a machinist, fitter, or inspector. 

Throughout the programme, you will study at Weston College while working alongside our experienced team at Ashton House in Bristol to learn your trade. This comprehensive approach will equip you with essential technical knowledge and skills in manufacturing. 

As you advance through the programme and refine your expertise, you'll apply what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios, contributing to the production of critical components for Royal Navy submarines. 

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

Machinist 
You’ll acquire the skills to produce complex, precision work by machining components. You’ll learn how to create components from metal or specialist materials using conventional or CNC machine tools. 

Fitter 
You’ll learn how to interpret engineering drawings, select materials, and assemble components using various tools and techniques. You'll support the manufacture, installation, testing, fault diagnosis, maintenance, overhaul, and removal of mechanical equipment on submarines. 

Inspector 
You’ll carry out inspection activities throughout the manufacturing process, ensuring safety and compliance. 

Depending on your chosen path, the apprenticeship will take 3 or 4 years.

Your education/training 
 
Through your college studies and on-the-job training, you’ll complete one of the following Level 3 apprenticeships:  
 

• Machining Technician – ST1305  
• Engineering Fitter – ST0432  
• Engineering Technician, Technical Support Technician – ST0457  

 
Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll gain broad expertise in engineering and insight into our operations. We'll equip you with the technical know-how and behaviours to thrive in your programme and beyond.  
 
The culmination of the apprenticeship is passing the required End Point Assessment, which will earn you a nationally recognised apprenticeship certificate.  

Future prospects

Upon completion of the programme, you’ll be prepared to take on the role of a machinist, fitter, or inspector at Babcock.

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

What you’ll need

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs all at C/4 grade (or equivalent) including Maths, English Language and a Science, or equivalent qualifications.
• You’ll also need to be able to work effectively in a team, have good attention to detail and have a passion for engineering.
• 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 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.