This 4-year apprenticeship is a great start for anyone interested in metals, materials science, and engineering. Throughout the apprenticeship, youâll earn technical qualifications and gain practical experience working on Royal Navy submarines.\n\nAbout the programme \n\nAs an apprentice in our Metallurgy department, youâll play a key role in maintaining and ensuring the reliability of Royal Navy submarines and other Ministry of Defence assets at HM Naval Base Clyde. Youâll be part of a team that provides specialist material analysis and on-site inspection services, ensuring the structural integrity of vital components and contributing to the safety and performance of naval operations.\n\nThroughout your apprenticeship, youâll gain practical experience in metallurgy, a specialist field of material science and engineering. A typical week could be varied, with time spent in the laboratory, on submarines, and in the office, giving you broad exposure to metallurgical processes in an operational defence environment. \n\nYouâll primarily be supporting the etching of components, conducting metallurgical visual inspections, preparing metallurgical samples in the laboratory, and handling failure investigations. Youâll also assist in the general operations and upkeep of the laboratory and have the opportunity to work on continuous improvement projects.\n \nAlongside your technical training, youâll develop core skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving and leadership. Youâll also build a strong understanding of material science, metallurgical inspection processes, and material testing procedures. Your education/training \n\nAs part of your apprenticeship, you will study for a series of industry-recognised qualifications at West College Scotland.\n\n- SVQ 2 Performing Engineering Operations at SCQF Level 5\n- HNC in Mechanical Engineering at SCQF Level 7\n- HND in Mechanical Engineering at SCQF Level 8\n- SVQ 3 Technical Services at SCQF Level 7\n \nThrough a combination of classroom learning and practical experience, you will develop essential skills such as teamwork, communication, literacy, numeracy, and IT. You will gain in-depth knowledge of material science, metallurgical inspection techniques, material testing, and procedures. Alongside your technical expertise, you'll have the chance to build valuable leadership, problem-solving, and organisational skills that will support your career development. What youâll need \n\n- Maths at Higher level grades A-C or above or equivalent.\n- English at Higher level grades A-C or above or equivalent.\n- Physics or Chemistry at Higher level grades A-C or above or equivalent.\n- Another technical subject at Higher level grades A-C or above or equivalent.\n- 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 â 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.