Location: Belfast, United Kingdom
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
2027 Manufacturing Apprentice - Level 3 Apprenticeship in Engineering NI (Level 2 en-route)
Start Date: 6 September 2027
Salary: £24,000 per annum
Employee type: Permanent
Location: Belfast (applicants must have been resident in Northern Ireland for the past 5 years)
Working hours (37 hours per week):
Year 1: 4.5-day week
- Mon-Thu: 07:00-15:45 (8.25 hours per day)
- Friday: 08:00-12:00
Years 2 & 3: 4-day week
- Mon-Thu: 07:00-16:45 (9.25 hours per day)
Turn your curiosity into a career. If you're passionate about manufacturing or engineering, eager to learn, and looking for an apprenticeship that combines structured training with hands‑on experience at Thales, we'd love to hear from you.
This apprenticeship is a great fit if you're serious about committing to learning and development. You'll need to be a self-starter who can manage your time, show initiative, and has a genuine interest in manufacturing and in Thales. Successful candidates will demonstrate self-discipline and a strong desire to achieve the qualification.
Benefits of the programme:
- Earn a salary while studying for your apprenticeship
- Gain hands‑on experience in a real engineering environment
- Receive job‑specific training and support for personal development
- Achieve a recognised engineering qualification
- Tuition fees for approved training providers are fully covered
- Secure a permanent role from the start of your apprenticeship
- Ongoing guidance and support from a dedicated Future Talent Manager
About the Role:
As a Manufacturing Apprentice at Thales Belfast, you will work on our high‑precision production lines, supporting the delivery of high-quality components and assemblies that meet customer requirements. You'll learn how to perform to production standards, contribute to efficient manufacturing, and develop the skills needed to perform safely and effectively in a fast‑moving engineering environment.
During the 3-year apprenticeship, you will complete:
- Year 1: Rotations across manufacturing operations, spending time in different manufacturing areas to build the foundations needed to achieve performance requirements for component and assembly production. This will be aligned to the required quality standards and the master production schedule.
- Year 2: 2 x six‑month rotations across manufacturing.
- Year 3: A one‑year specialism, building deeper expertise in your chosen trade specialism within the manufacturing activity spectrum‑such as mechanical assembly, electrical assembly, or mechatronic assembly.
What You Will Learn:
- Professional engineering behaviours and industry best practice
- Working as part of a highly skilled and adaptable team
- Understanding and working with complex engineering systems
- Working from engineering drawings and manufacturing instruction sheets
- The Manufacturing Lifecycle and key engineering processes
- Lean methodology
- Manufacturing tools and methods
- Structured and methodical approaches to problem solving and investigation
Apprenticeship Programme:
Year 1 - As a Manufacturing Apprentice you will undertake a Level 2 Engineering Apprenticeship (NI) at South Eastern Regional College, working towards a Level 2 NVQ in Performing Engineering Operations.
Year 2 & 3 - You will then progress onto a Level 3 Manufacturing or Mechatronic Apprenticeship to achieve the BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering at South Eastern Regional College, at Thales you will be documenting your practical trade skills by working towards a Level 3 NVQ in Manufacturing Engineering.
Programme structure:
You will be given paid day release to attend college (SERC) each week alongside your day‑to‑day duties as a Manufacturing Apprentice. In your first year, you will attend Thales IAS UK College at Skills for Success on Friday mornings, from 08:00-12:00, where you will further develop the skills needed to work as part of a highly skilled team.
Entry Requirements:
To apply, you will need:
- 5 GCSES grade 9-4 (A-C) including English and Maths
- Applicants must have been resident in Northern Ireland for the past 5 years
Benefits:
- Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum
- Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a company day and bank holidays)
- Contributory Company Pension
- Health Care Cash Plan
- Employee assistance programme
- Learning and development support
- Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives
- Life Cover
- 80 Hours fully paid Volunteering per year (first two years)
Please note, assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February - May 2027. Induction week for all Graduate and Apprentices will take place from Monday 6 September - Friday 10 September 2027.
Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 February 2027, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note, we will be in contact by the end of February 2027 with details of next steps.
Because of the work we do at Thales, all roles are subject to security requirements.
To be considered for this position, you must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete and maintain UK Government security checks, including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC), which is a government background check, before starting employment.
To be eligible for SC clearance, you will typically need to have lived
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2027 Manufacturing Apprentice - Level 3 Apprenticeship in Engineering NI (Level 2 en-route) employer: Thales Group
Thales is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of Crawley. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive training opportunities, competitive benefits including private medical insurance and annual bonuses, and a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact the future of technology. Join us to be part of a team that values diversity, encourages creativity, and prioritises ethical AI solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 2027 Manufacturing Apprentice - Level 3 Apprenticeship in Engineering NI (Level 2 en-route)
✨Dive into Local Manufacturing Events
Get yourself out there and check out local manufacturing expos or trade shows! These events are gold mines for networking and can put you in touch with potential employers like Thales Group. Plus, you might discover companies that are looking for apprentices directly.
✨Join Apprenticeship Networks
Look for local apprenticeship networks and community forums focused on manufacturing. Engaging in these spaces can lead you to hidden opportunities and advice from others who’ve been in your shoes — they might have inside info on which companies are hiring apprentices!
✨Reach Out Directly to Companies
Don't shy away from reaching out! If you have specific companies in mind like Thales Group, shoot them an email or give them a call to inquire about potential apprenticeship opportunities. Sometimes, they might not have openings posted, but they’re always keen to meet passionate candidates!
✨Utilise College Resources
If you're studying, tap into your college’s career services for leads on manufacturing apprenticeships. They often have connections with local businesses and can help you polish your application to stand out. And remember, applying through our website can give you a leg up on the competition for positions at Thales Group!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing and production sector, we want to see your hands-on skills. Make sure your CV lists any relevant technical abilities or tools you’ve worked with, like machinery or software specific to production processes. This is your chance to shine a light on any experience you already have, even if it’s just in class or through a hobby!
Highlight Your Commitment to Learning:As this is an apprenticeship, emphasising your eagerness to learn is crucial! In your cover letter, mention specific areas of manufacturing you're excited to learn about, and why you're passionate about joining Thales Group. Show us you’re ready to dive into the practical world of production!
Include Relevant Qualifications:List any qualifications or certifications related to manufacturing—think health and safety, technical courses, or even basic engineering principles. It can help set you apart from others and show you come prepared and informed about the industry standards!
Keep It Relevant and Concise:When applying for an apprenticeship, make sure your documents are straightforward and relevant. Focus on your most pertinent experiences and avoid clutter. Remember, humility goes a long way—if you've worked on projects, even in a school setting, don’t hesitate to include those to reflect your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thales Group
✨Get Hands-On with Machinery
Since you're eyeing an apprenticeship in manufacturing-production, it's crucial to familiarise yourself with the tools and machinery related to the role. We should brush up on our basic mechanical skills and be ready to talk about any hands-on experiences we've had, like school projects or part-time work that involved manual tasks.
✨Show Your Understanding of Safety Protocols
Safety is paramount in manufacturing, so be prepared to discuss health and safety protocols relevant to the industry. We can expect questions focusing on how to maintain a safe working environment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and hazard awareness—making sure we articulate our understanding can really impress the interviewers at Thales Group.
✨Highlight Your Willingness to Learn
As an apprentice, they’re looking for enthusiasm and the willingness to absorb knowledge. Let’s be prepared to discuss how we’ve approached learning new skills in the past, showing we’re ready to embrace the learning curve that comes with this exciting opportunity at Thales Group.
✨Research Typical Production Processes
It might help us to know a thing or two about basic manufacturing processes, such as assembly lines, quality control checks, and production scheduling. We could bring examples of these processes from our research or coursework to showcase our interest and understanding of the field during the interview.
