Engineering Technician Apprentice
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £18,900
Hours: Full time - 37 Hours
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 4 Years
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
Closing date: 16th February 2025
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has over 25 years' experience in providing engineering apprenticeships and provides an excellent training ground to equip individuals with the relevant skills and experience for their chosen career in either mechanical, electrical or electronic engineering. We offer a competitive salary that increases annually, 3 years supervised training, additional core skills development and the opportunity to undertake placements.
We are looking to recruit Level 3 Engineering Apprentices to join us in September 2025 at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on our rotational engineering scheme, which has recently been enhanced to deliver a broad and intensive front loaded up-skill programme to increase the breadth of knowledge.
The successful candidates will follow either a mechanical, electrical or electronic biased programme undertaking placements in our ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, RAL Space, Central Laser Facility and Technology departments.
As part of the Level 3 Mechatronics apprenticeship, apprentices will gain specific skills and knowledge which lend themselves to working in Quantum enabled engineering through the QuEST apprenticeship programme. This gives a broad foundation covering fitting, milling, turning, surface mount soldering, welding, electronics, gas, vacuum, cryogenics etc. relevant to the Quantum sector.
About an Apprenticeship at STFC
With training and support from experts in their fields, you'll be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge, skills and behaviours, working towards completing your apprenticeship, gaining appropriate qualifications whilst making a real difference in your role.
If working with innovative technologies on world-leading research isn't enough, you will develop both professionally and as a critical member of the team in an environment you won't find anywhere else.
Our dedicated Apprenticeship Team will support you every step of the way, helping you make the most of your opportunities and to achieve the goals you already have - and those you have yet to discover!
We provide an opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion. You'll have access to additional core skills development, access to a community of apprentices across the site, annual Apprentice awards evenings, a number of active sport and social groups across campus, and potential opportunities for overseas placements.
STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days' annual leave, an outstanding index linked pension scheme, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours.
For a list of our full benefits, please visit here .
About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities
Through the training provider Oxfordshire Advanced Skills, you will undertake at Level 3 Mechatronics Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship which will include:
* Year 1: You will be based at the Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS), Culham rotating through blocks of 4-6 weeks in duration. This will be supplemented with training relevant to STFC and giving a board engineering foundation, delivered by STFC staff, in conjunction with UKAEA, at the OAS site in Culham.
* Year 2: You will be based at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), and undertake on-the-job training via placements on a rotational basis in your chosen discipline, either mechanical, electrical or electronic.Training will be in six-week blocks at Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) at Culham.
* Years 3-4: You will be fully in the workplace where you will further hone your skills to become an Engineering Technician.
You will be required to attend OAS as required as part of your training; you must therefore be willing and able to travel independently. Excess travel costs will be covered.
For more information about the training provider, please visit: Level 3 Apprenticeships | OAS and to learn more about the apprenticeship standard Mechatronics Maintenance Technician / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
You will complete your portfolio before undertaking your End Point Assessment. The End Point Assessment will include an observation with questions and an interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.
As a rotating engineering apprentice your main duties/responsibilities will include:
* Complete a prescribed programme of training to be conducted within the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
* Work under the guidance and support of your team within each placement
* Work safely and in line with established safety measures in the laboratory on a day-to-day basis
* Follow procedures and risk assessments with supervision.
* Communicate with staff across STFC and at all levels. You will work as part of a team as well as working on your own.You will also represent
* STFC through the contact you have with your training provider
* Attend appropriate additional training to support the role and service delivery
Throughout your apprenticeship you will be expected to support scientists from all over the world as they continue to push back the barriers of science.
Person specification
In order to apply for the role, we are looking for the following:
Key - (S) will be measured at shortlisting, (I) will be measured at interview, (S&I) is both.
Essential:
* Achieved or predicted to achieve 5 passes at Grade C/4 or above including Maths & English (S)
* Interest in engineering and the ability to demonstrate a basic level of knowledge and skill (S&I)
* Good problem-solving skills (I)
* Ability to work independently and as part of a small team (S&I)
* Good communication skills (both written and verbal) (S&I)
* Self-motivated; willing to undertake the work required with the training provider and in the workplace (I)
* Ability to work using own initiative (I)
Desirable:
* IT literacy and working with Microsoft office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (S)
Important Information
1. To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to evidence passes at 9-4 or A*-C in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English. For those sitting their GSCEs in Summer 2025, we would need evidence of your predicted grades.
2. When applying for an apprenticeship, there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met by the applicant. To check your eligibility please click here .
3. The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process. If you already have a qualification in this subject area or similar please include, as an attachment, your transcript outlining the grade/s achieved and modules covered. By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider.
We will be in touch after the closing date, however, please reach out onapprenticerecruitment@ukri.orgif you have any questions.
Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.
What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side?
Join us and discover what's possible!
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe's largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We're proud of the impact we make. And we're committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You'll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you'll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you'll discover just what a difference you can make when you're equipped and inspired to excel.
We're a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don't, ask questions that others won't, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it's at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It's very often ground-breaking. And it's endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org .
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI .
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce' .
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
Additional Information
* Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
* Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
* External Closing Date: Feb 16, 2025
* Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 18,900
* Hours: Full-time