Engineering Support Technician Apprenticeship

This is no ordinary apprenticeship. As part of our technical support teams, you’ll work alongside experienced engineers who help maintain and upgrade Royal Navy ships and submarines. Your role will focus on analysing, reviewing and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications and materials, while learning how projects are planned and delivered across the dockyard.  The work is primarily office-based but includes regular visits to ships, submarines and workshops, giving you a close-up view of how complex engineering programmes come to life. You’ll learn how to report on processes, interpret data and apply problem-solving skills to improve efficiency and safety.  Over time, you’ll build your knowledge of engineering principles, materials, diagnostics, planning and documentation, all while gaining a real appreciation of the precision and teamwork that drive naval engineering. Throughout your apprenticeship, you’ll be supported by mentors, line managers and our Emerging Talent team, who’ll help you build the confidence, capability and professional skills to thrive in this vital role. 
 

Training:

As part of your apprenticeship, you’ll study for the Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship Standard through City College Plymouth. 

You’ll spend your first year full-time at college, building your practical engineering knowledge and hand skills. From your second year onwards, you’ll combine work and study, spending four days a week in the dockyard and one day at college. Your final year will be spent entirely at Devonport, applying what you’ve learnt to real engineering projects. 

At the end of the programme, you’ll complete your End Point Assessment and gain a nationally recognised qualification as a Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician.

Training Outcome:

Once you complete the programme, you’ll be a fully qualified Engineering Support Technician with the technical skills and experience to take on real responsibility. You’ll be expected to stay within this role for three years to help you gain further experience, consolidate your skills, and contribute meaningfully to your team before applying for other roles within the organisation.

Upon programme completion, you can expect to earn a competitive salary exceeding £36,000.

After 12 months of apprenticeship completion, candidates who consistently excel, demonstrate exceptional commitment, and go above and beyond in their role may be considered for higher education pathways on an individual basis, subject to discussion with their line manager and business needs. There are progression routes across Babcock in areas such as design, project management, planning and operations.

Through the Babcock Role Framework, you’ll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with mapped-out pathways, development opportunities and the tools you need to get wherever you want to go. 

Employer Description:
Babcock is an international defence company providing support and product solutions to enhance our customers’ defence capabilities and critical assets. We provide through-life technical and engineering support for our customers’ assets, delivering improvements in performance, availability and programme cost. Our c27,700 employees deliver these critical services to defence and civil customers, including engineering support to naval, land, air and nuclear operations, frontline support, specialist training and asset management. We also design and manufacture a range of defence and civil specialist equipment, from naval ship and weapons handling systems to liquid gas handling systems. We also provide integrated, technology-enabled solutions to our defence customers in areas such as secure communications, electronic warfare and air defence.

Working Hours :
Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm.

Skills:
Communication skills,Attention to detail,Team working