Mechatronic Apprenticeship in Dunfermline

Our 4-year Mechatronic Apprenticeship offers a practical, hands-on opportunity to work alongside experienced machine maintenance technicians while gaining a recognised qualification. You’ll play a vital role in ensuring our equipment is maintained efficiently and reliably – contributing directly to the smooth running of operations and the success of our business.

As a Mechatronic Apprentice, you’ll gain experience in both routine and reactive maintenance of automated systems and CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) machines, working closely with skilled technicians. You’ll be exposed to a wide range of mechanical and electrical subsystems, including:

• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
• Soft start & inverter drives
• Pneumatic systems
• Hydraulic systems

You’ll learn how these systems integrate, how to diagnose faults, and how to support repairs and upgrades that keep our operations running smoothly. You’ll also respond to breakdowns—often under pressure—helping to restore equipment quickly and minimise downtime. In addition to maintenance, you’ll contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance reliability, performance, and safety across the site. You’ll also develop expertise in machine alignment and positional offsets, understanding how precision setup and sensor feedback influence automated processes and product quality.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys practical engineering, problem-solving, and working across multiple technical disciplines. If you’re curious, hands-on, and eager to learn, this apprenticeship will equip you with the skills and experience to build a strong foundation in mechatronics.

You’ll attend college and receive training on-site. The breakdown of time spent at work and at Fife College is as follows:

• Year 1: August to end of June – full-time at Fife College
• Year 2: Full-time at work
• Year 3: Full-time at work (HNC students attend college one day per week)
• Year 4: Full-time at work, focusing on finalising logbooks and meeting qualification requirements

Upon successful completion, you’ll gain a Modern Apprenticeship Qualification at SCQF Level 7 in Engineering – Asset Lifecycle and Maintenance.

Upon completing the programme, you'll be well-positioned to advance your career within Babcock. We’ll support you as you grow into more senior roles and take on greater responsibility. 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. You may also choose to continue your education by pursuing a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in a related field at college. The experience and skills gained during the programme will strengthen your application and support your career progression.

What you’ll need:

• A minimum of 4 National 5s including Maths at grade B and Physics, English and a Technical / Science Subject at grade C or above
• Willingness to learn, question and collaborate and genuine interest in your chosen subject
• Ability to follow instructions, think and plan work with safety as a priority
• Work well in a team and show respect towards fellow colleagues, customers, and supervisors

Many of our apprenticeship programmes 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 programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance.

What you’ll get:

• Fully funded qualification
• Personal development training and opportunities
• Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
• Competitive pension scheme
• Employee share scheme
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.

Your career development:

It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real-world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career. Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face-to-face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.

Application process and closing dates:

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the programme may close early if we receive a high volume of interest. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we strongly recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.