Mechanical Maintenance Apprenticeship

There is a wide variety of mechanical maintenance roles at AWE/off site Academy, including working with pressurised systems (steam, compressed air, compressed gases), servicing various types of equipment such as vacuum pumps, HVAC fan systems, dynamic and positive displacement pumps, mechanical drive equipment, heat transfer equipment, monitoring systems and specialist equipment used for processing nuclear and explosive materials. There are also roles within specialised teams like Condition Based Monitoring who are the site lead for preventative & reliability maintenance, The Local Exhaust Ventilation team who ensure we keep our high-risk operations, such as machining Beryllium, safe and off-site response, where you will maintain equipment used to respond to off-site incidents.  

During the foundation phase of your apprenticeship, you will learn the fundamentals of Mechanical Maintenance. This will act as the building blocks of an interesting career within AWE. Basic skills and knowledge are covered by the Skills Academy where you will start with learning the correct selection and use of hand tools. You will manufacture a range of test pieces to help with your development as a mechanical maintainer, from here you will progress onto carrying out maintenance activities in a simulated environment.  Please be aware that this period of your training will be delivered at our off site AWE Apprentice Training Facility. Return transport will be provided from the AWE Aldermaston site and will ensure (where possible) that the journey is complete within your working day. 

Once this phase has been completed, taking approximately 18 months, you will move to the Consolidation Phase. This will see you rotate through our Mechanical Maintenance teams located in the various Technology Centres across both AWE Aldermaston and AWE Burghfield sites. Here you will build upon the skills learned during the Foundation phase, working on a wide range of plant and equipment in a real-world environment. 

Training:

Training schedule has yet to be agreed. Details will be made available at a later date.

Training Outcome:

A career within AWE plc in the Engineering environment .

Employer Description:
For nearly 73 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent – Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions. Our role in nuclear defence and what we do to support the UK’s nuclear deterrent, is vital in defending our country from the most extreme threats and to keeping the peace.

Working Hours :
9 day fortnight. 33 hours on the short week, 8hrs 15 mins per day. 41 hours on the long week, 8hrs 15 mins per day Monday to Thursday and Fridays 8hrs. Typical working hours are 740am to 435pm.

Skills:
Communication skills,IT skills,Attention to detail,Problem solving skills,Number skills,Analytical skills,Logical,Team working,Initiative,Patience,Health & Safety Aware,Passion & Motivation