Engineering Trades Apprenticeship in Helensburgh

Location: Faslane, Helensburgh, GB, G84 8HL

Onsite or Hybrid: OnSite

Salary: £16,000, rising annually to £38,461 post-apprenticeship

Ready to learn a skilled trade? On our 4‑year Engineering Trades Apprenticeship, you’ll develop specialist engineering trade skills and gain hands‑on experience maintaining the Royal Navy's fleet.

About the programme:

This is no ordinary engineering apprenticeship. Our engineering technicians are at the forefront of maintaining the Royal Navy’s fleet. As an Engineering Technician Apprentice, you’ll contribute to the maintenance, upgrades and repairs of ships, submarines and infrastructure at HM Naval Base Clyde. You’ll work on a variety of projects including the Vanguard and Astute‑Class nuclear submarines. You’ll also provide support to facilities management, helping keep the naval base running safely and efficiently. This varied and exciting programme covers Mechanical, Electrical and Fabrication trades. You’ll be assigned one of these trade routes to specialise in.

• Mechanical Fitting: You’ll be trained to use a variety of hand and machine tools whilst learning how to identify faults and return equipment to working condition. You’ll be involved in the installation, commissioning, maintenance and repair of a wide range of equipment including engines, pumps, valves and hydraulic equipment.
• Electrical Fitting: You’ll learn how to use electrical engineering drawings and specifications to strip, rebuild, test and maintain a wide range of electrical equipment and machinery.
• Fabricating: You will manufacture a wide range of components and construct minor and major ship structures such as the hull, shell, deck, bulkheads, seats, frames and girders using a range of metals.

Wherever you find yourself, you'll gain knowledge and skills in:

• Health and safety
• Planning and documentation
• Engineering mathematical and scientific principles
• Methods and techniques
• Structure, properties and characteristics of materials
• Diagnostic methods to overcome problems
• Interpreting engineering drawings and data
• Adhering to and refining processes and procedures

Your education/training:

As part of your apprenticeship, you will receive training both on‑site and at West College Scotland. You'll study core engineering principles plus develop specialist skills in mechanical, electrical or fabrication. Your formal qualifications will be achieved progressively over the course of the programme:

• Year 1: Full‑time at West College Scotland - SVQ Level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations at SCQF Level 5 National Certificate in your chosen discipline/trade route.
• Year 2: 3 days per week on site at HMNB Clyde and 1 day per week at West College Scotland - SVQ Diploma in your assigned engineering discipline/trade route at SCQF Level 7 National Certificate in your chosen discipline/trade route.
• Years 3–4: 3 days per week on site at HMNB Clyde (if progressing to HNC) and 1 day per week at West College Scotland - SVQ Diploma in your assigned engineering discipline/trade route at SCQF Level 7 HNC in your chosen discipline/trade route.

Upon successfully completing the programme, you’ll become a qualified Engineering Technician, specialising in your chosen field (mechanical fitting, electrical fitting or fabricating). In this role, you can expect to earn a competitive salary of £38,461.

What you’ll need:

National Level 5 qualifications (or equivalent) in Mathematics, English, and a Science or technical subject, with grades A–C. Two additional qualifications at National Level 4 or 5 (or above), with grades A–C. 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:

We will provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career. In addition, you’ll benefit from:

• Fully funded qualification
• Personal development training and opportunities
• Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
• 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. It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive.

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.