Engineering Advanced Apprenticeship
During this time, you’ll carry out four six month technical-focused, placements in different delivery teams based at Abbey Wood in Bristol, complete a Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering and receive training to defence, all while you’re completing a BTEC Level 4 HNC Engineering qualification in Mechatronics. This’ll prepare you for engineering roles within the MoD’s current and future programmes.
Read more about the Engineering function
Opportunities
This apprenticeship can provide you with many opportunities for personal development, professional development and some Technical-focused placements which may necessitate you working away from Abbey Wood or even foreign travel. Apprentices in the past have travelled all over the world from the Falkland Islands to Australia.
Scheme structure
Year One
During your first year you’ll be at college fulltime, learning core engineering skills and you’ll be studying for your Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, which typically involves activities such as turning, milling, and welding. You’ll also study a Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing (taught through classroom delivery).
Years Two and Three
These placements will last around six months and will be carried out in the Land, Air and Sea Domains in different delivery teams supporting cutting edge military equipment. There may also be placement opportunities within the Submarine Delivery Agency.
End of scheme
Once you’ve successfully completed your apprenticeship, you’ll be appointed as a Level 1 Engineer and assigned to a project in DE&S where you could be involved in the following:
- Manage the equipment/system modifications and updates required to meet user needs and legal requirements.
- Provide advice and support to military users.
- Liaise with MoD personnel, contractors and military users.
- Specify tasks for contractors.
- Review and analyse technical reports.
- Control the configuration of technical information.
- Become a specialist in an engineering field.
Entry requirements
You must be over the age of 16 by 01 September 2023.
Five GCSEs at grade C to A* or Grades 4 – 9. The GCSEs required include English Language, Mathematics and a Science or Engineering subject.
Please note this is a development apprenticeship scheme and candidates with higher level qualifications in Engineering may not be eligible.
Help & Support
There are several ways that you’ll be supported. You’ll:
- have a dedicated apprentice manager throughout your apprenticeship.
- have assistance from an independent training assessor.
- work with a whole host of experienced and knowledgeable placement supervisors.
- In addition to the end point assessments, you’ll be assessed and reviewed every six weeks to support you in progressing as expected.
Selection process
When applying, you’ll complete an initial online application and be required to undertake an online numerical, verbal and Civil Service judgement test.
If you pass all tests, you’ll then complete a full application and upload your CV (please note the specific CV requirements on the job advert).
Finally, the top scoring candidates will be invited to an assessment centre in Bristol.
If successful at interview a place can be offered subject to you obtaining satisfactory grades, your references, security and health checks.
This scheme is due to open in late 2023.
Benefits and discounts
We truly believe that DE&S is a great place to work, and we offer a unique experience for our graduates and apprentices.
We want to ensure that every single employee feels appreciated and fairly rewarded and being part of the Civil Service allows to offer a very unique and attractive benefits package including discounts on cinema tickets, sport and leisure and your weekly shop.
Discover all the ways we can help you make life easier.
“You get the chance to work, gain qualifications and progress all at the same time. DE&S is very supportive, as there are lots of people with vast amounts of experience to learn from who are always happy to help.”
– Rachel, Project Professional Scheme
Turn your job into a career with DE&S. Find your place in our team today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Should you require support with the application process or require any technical assistance please contact the DBS team on 0800 345 7772.
A provisional offer informs you that you have been successful at interview subject to pre-employment checks. At this stage we will initiate the necessary pre-employment checks, such as security clearance and medical questionnaires. If you are an external candidate, you are strongly advised not to give notice to your current employer until pre-employment checks have successfully been concluded.
Your provisional offer will inform you of the pre-employment checks. The security checks, which are undertaken by National Security Vetting (NSV) Agency, usually take the longest to complete so you will be invited to commence this aspect once you have been informed that you have completed your interview, as this reduces delays. An invitation to begin the security clearance process is not a guarantee that you will be given an offer.
All candidates will be required to undertake security clearances to the level the role requires prior to commencing employment. Assuming the candidate completes their security forms and references are returned in a timely fashion, and that no further checks or documents are required, we would expect the individual to be advised that we are in the position to make a formal offer of employment and start discussions to agree an appropriate starting date.
The Disability Confident scheme aims to help employers make the most of the opportunities provided by employing disabled people. It is voluntary and has been developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives.
DE&S is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader.
