Job Summary
Are you passionate about a career in Engineering? Do you want to be part of Defence and contribute to supporting the Fleet worldwide? Then apply for an apprenticeship within Naval Base Commander (Devonport's) organisation, known as NBC(D).
NBC(D)'s organisation is looking for enthusiastic, talented and motivated personnel to join our Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship and become our engineering professionals of the future supporting operational capability and wider defence.
NBC(D)'s organisation offers a 42 month Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship, giving you a unique blend of hands-on experience and academic learning, setting you on the path to an exciting career in Defence.
Over the course of the three-year apprenticeship, apprentices will attend college on a combination of block/day release and carry out engineering focused work placements within His Majesty's Naval Base Devonport within NBC(D)'s organisation as well as the potential to work with a range of Industry Partners. You will also receive dedicated support as you work towards a Level 3 Engineering & Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship (ST1395) qualification. A link to the standard can be accessed here: Engineering and manufacturing support technician / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
N.B. Whilst some work placements may provide “hands on” engineering experience on successful completion of the apprenticeship, your role will primarily be office based.
The start date of the apprenticeship is expected to be early September 2025.
HM Naval Base is one of the largest bases of its kind in western Europe and is a key Defence asset, acting as an operating and support base for the Royal Navy's ships and submarines, and elements of the Royal Marines. Working here offers opportunities which are varied, challenging and exciting; enabling and supporting the Royal Navy to generate and operate forces worldwide today and ensuring that we are ready for tomorrow by developing and delivering UK maritime capability for the future.
We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating a great place to work that reflects the diversity of the society we serve. By bringing together different ideas, experiences, and perspectives, we can achieve our ambitions, together.
You must have the right of abode in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
Job Description
Phase 1: You will undergo initial Induction Training into the Civil Service before starting and attending college on a full-time basis developing your underpinning knowledge of engineering as well as carrying out a range of practical workshop tasks. During college half term periods you will have familiarisation visits in the Naval Base to develop your understanding of NBC(D)'s business in preparation for Phases 2 and 3.
Phases 2 and 3: Typically, you will undertake four six-month work placements that will give you the opportunity to develop skills and experience while you play an active role in helping the business meet operational requirements and workplace objectives. Placements are flexible and will cover different areas within NBC(D)'s organisation and potentially the wider naval base to give you a broad experience of the organisation and the wider Defence organisations and Industry Partners we work with. Work placements will support your technical tasks associated with your apprenticeship as well as supporting your colleagues in their specialist area in achieving NBC(D)'s business objectives. The expectation is that you will be working on site the majority of your working week.
During phases 2 and 3 you will also be required to attend college one day per week (day to be confirmed) in support of your Level 3 Engineering & Manufacturing Support Technician qualification.
Your contracted hours will be 37 per week, although some additional study will be required in your own time to complete the academic part of the apprenticeship.
Once you’ve successfully completed the apprenticeship, and end point assessment you will be invited to sit a suitability interview and may be offered an Executive Officer Development Post opportunity within NBC(D)'s organisation.
To support your development, you’ll also be provided with Mentoring and Buddying opportunities, outreach activities, engagement with senior management, equipment familiarisation visits and networking opportunities.
Person specification
1. Successfully complete Phase 1 of Standard Base Training (SBT), including completing practical and written assignments as directed by the training provider and as stated in the apprenticeship standard.
2. Successfully complete all aspects of Phase 2 and 3 SBT within specified time-frames to progress to the next phase of the apprenticeship/successful achievement of end point assessment.
3. Responsible for managing own workload when in college/work placements including contributing to work placement team task/objectives and managing training provider assignment deadlines.
4. When in work placements, contribute and support your respective teams in meeting NBC(D)'s/team and/or operational and delivery objectives.
5. Collaborate with peers to achieve group projects/tasks as required by the training provider/MOD.
6. Responsible for the Health and Safety of self, and others both in the workplace and offsite.
7. Actively participate in work/college initiatives to support personal development.
8. Support the junior phase of NBC(D)'s apprenticeship programme including mentoring support.
9. Contribute and attend various apprentice management workshops in support of personal development and end point assessment.
10. Support the apprentice management team with marketing events and apprenticeship fairs.
11. Actively promote STEM within the local community, including attendance at schools/colleges.
12. Adhere to the Civil Service Code of Conduct.
13. Successfully complete MOD/local mandatory training.
The apprenticeship requires you to have GCSE English Language, Maths, and a Science (Level 4+/Grade C+ or equivalent).
N.B. If you are applying with predicted grades, please tick to say you meet the GCSE/academic requirements or else your application will be rejected.
Candidates with predictive grades will need to have confirmation of successful results by the end of August 2025 to be able to commence the apprenticeship early September 2025.
Please see the guide for acceptable equivalents – What qualification levels mean: England, Wales and Northern Ireland - GOV.UK (link) and (link) for Scotland.
Evidence of the above qualifications will be required as part of your pre-employment checks before a formal offer can be made.
Qualifications
GCSE English Language, Maths, and a Science (Level 4+/Grade C+ or equivalent).
N.B. If you are applying with predicted grades, please tick to say you meet the GCSE/academic requirements or else your application will be rejected.
Candidates with predictive grades will need to have confirmation of successful results by the end of August 2025 to be able to commence the apprenticeship early September 2025.
Please see the guide for acceptable equivalents – What qualification levels mean: England, Wales and Northern Ireland - GOV.UK (link) and (link) for Scotland.
Evidence of the above qualifications will be required as part of your pre-employment checks before a formal offer can be made.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
1. Working Together
2. Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
1. Discuss an engineering and/or STEM activity or project you have been involved with.
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