2026 Project Planning and Controls Apprentice - Level 4 Project Management Associate

2026 Project Planning and Controls Apprentice – Level 4 Project Management Associate

Thales – Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Start Date: 07 September 2026

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Employee type: Permanent

Working Schedule: Monday – Friday, 37 hours a week (8.25 hours Monday – Thursday, 4 hours Friday)

Location: Belfast

Thales provides a world‑leading advanced technology environment. This apprenticeship delivers the skills and knowledge to become an effective Project Planning and Controls Apprentice within the Bid and Project Management Function.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the creation and maintenance of integrated master schedules for assigned projects
• Contribute to project reports and attend associated reviews
• Assist in deployment and reporting of risk & opportunity management
• Help ensure correct and effective project governance is applied
• Operate Thales UK tools to manage the project schedule, budgets, risks and opportunities
• Commit to attendance of all apprenticeship activities including training modules, coaching calls, assignments, exams and mandatory Thales UK training activities

Programme

This is a 2‑year programme working towards the Level 4 Project Manager Associate Apprenticeship standard. Delivered via a virtual model with live workshops and 1‑21 coaching calls, successful completion leads to a role in Bid and Project Management.

Who we’re looking for

Enthusiastic, motivated, self‑starter with a genuine interest in project planning/controls. Candidates demonstrate self‑discipline and an aspiration to achieve the qualification.

Entry Requirements

• Level 3 qualification (e.g., A Levels Grade C+, Highers, T Level Merit+, BTEC Diploma Merit+). Level 3 STEM based qualification advantageous.
• GCSE grades 9-4 (A-C) including English and Maths

Benefits

• 201 hours annual leave (plus company day and bank holidays)
• Company Pension
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Life Insurance
• Discount Portal
• Performance‑related pay uplifts
• 80 hours volunteering (first two years)

Closing date

Applications close 11.59pm Thursday 12 February 2026.

Security Clearance

This role requires Security Clearance (SC). Applicants must obtain full SC clearance prior to commencement.

Equal Opportunity

Thales is an equal opportunities employer. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our success.