Summary
Our Submarines business has been safely delivering world class submarines to the UK Royal Navy for more than a century. The Astute class will equip the Royal Navy with its largest and most capable generation of attack submarines. We are responsible for the design, build, test and commissioning of these state-of-the-art vessels.
Wage
Competitive
We offer a competitive salary with annual increases throughout the apprenticeship and a range of employee benefits including, free higher education as well as access to the Company pension and share saving scheme
Training course
Engineering operative (level 2)
Hours
Shifts to be confirmed
37 hours a week
Possible start date
Monday 29 September
Duration
3 years 6 months
Positions available
15
Work
As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
What you’ll do at work
As a Caulking Apprentice, you will be involved in a variety of different tasks, primarily around plate preparation and metal removal. This role is broken down into four areas which are Gouging, Grinding, Burning and Tank Testing).
The Caulking trade is progressively adopting increasing levels of mechanisation and automation technology. As a Caulker you will learn to operate tractor mounted oxy-fuel burning equipment, arc-air and plasma gouging equipment, and milling systems. In addition was already undertake highly specialised robotic cutting and gouging processes. This leads into the programming, remote operation and production management of robotic processes on major structural components, essential for the manufacture of our submarines.
Gouging has been designed for carbon-based metals and is used to remove metal, generally to prepare materials before welding is carried out. In carbon-arc gouging, an electric arc at the end of a consumable carbon rod melts the metal, and a continuous blast of compressed air blows the molten metal away.
Grinding is used to dress areas to the correct size and to prepare weld joints so the required quality can be achieved. Grinding is also used to remove weld profiles prior to inspection.
Burning is used to cut steel to correct sizes prior to fabrication. This process uses oxygen and propane to heat the steel up to a molten state and then a jet of additional oxygen used to cut through the steel.
Tank Testing is used to confirm the integrity of the tanks. These are tested by blanking all holes into the tank and then using air or water to raise the pressure within the tank. You will be trained to then inspect the tank boundaries for leaks.
Where you’ll work
BAE Systems
1st Floor, Main Shipyard Offices
Barrow-in-Furness
Cumbria
LA14 1AF
Training
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
College or training organisation
BAE SYSTEMS PLC
Your training course
Engineering operative (level 2)
Equal to GCSE
Course contents
Your training plan
Engineering Operative Level 2.
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* 3 GCSEs inc Maths & English (grade A*- E or 9-2 (or equivalent))
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Organisation skills
* Team working