2026 Engineering (Field Services) Apprentice
THALES UK LIMITED
Devon (PL2 2BG)
Closes on Thursday 12 February 2026
Posted on 4 November 2025
Contents
Summary
Are you looking for an employer who will sponsor you through your learning, whilst providing valuable and exciting on-the-job experience within a global, innovative and industry leading organisation? We are looking for an Engineering (Field Service) Apprentice to join us at Devonport, supporting the Royal Navy in maintaining their fleet.
- Wage
-
£24,000 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Performance related pay uplifts, pension - Thales match plus 1% with a maximum contribution of 7%, health insurance
- Training course
- Engineering technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday- Thursday- 8 hours a day
(8:00am to 4:30pm)
Friday 5 hours
(8:00am to 1:00pm)
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
You will learn how to work on electrical and electronic equipment; this will include installation test and service as part of the role. Interpreting technical information, you will be completing planned and unplanned maintenance on Royal Navy communication, electronic warfare and Sonar equipment. Flexible thinking and structured problem-solving will be required core skills.
Where you'll work
HM Naval Base Devonport
Plymouth
Devon
PL2 2BG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CITY COLLEGE PLYMOUTH
Training course
Engineering technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
Training schedule
As an Engineering (Field Service) Apprentice, you will be required to enrol onto the Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship with City College Plymouth. You will be trained, supported, and monitored throughout the process. Throughout the duration of the apprenticeship, you will be paid, and day released to City College engineering skills centre for off-the-job training. You will learn how to work safely, work efficiently, use technical information, how to conduct business improvement activities, use Computer Aided Design software, general machining, fitting techniques, how to maintain mechanical and electrical equipment, how to assemble and test electronic circuits as well as general welding techniques.
The apprenticeship program lasts 3 years and is designed to deliver best practices, skills, and knowledge in keeping engineering assets working. Through the programme you will learn to keep equipment performance to a maximum, undertake preventative maintenance as well as diagnosing faults and undertaking repairs. You will attend college 1 day per week over the first 3 years and then you have 6 months in which to undertake the End Point Assessment. On completion of the programme, you will have achieved a Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship qualification and will roll off the scheme into a permanent role within Field Service engineering.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Team working
Other requirements
Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, all our roles are subject to security restrictions. All successful candidates must possess the permanent right to work in the UK and will be required to go through Government security clearance at BPSS Level and to obtain full Security Clearance (SC) in line with the United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) requirements below, prior to starting with us. This role requires you to be a sole British National from birth and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance. To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, eligibility to work in the UK, time spent abroad over the last 5 years, as well as employment and / or educational history. For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please follow this link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/nationa…
About this employer
Together, we create the ingenious technological systems and innovations that impact and improve people's lives every single day. Even if you haven't heard the name Thales before, you've definitely benefited from our inventiveness. We reinvest 20% of our sales in Research & Development in the UK. We support businesses, organisations, and governments in addressing tomorrow’s major challenges by developing advanced Defence, Security, Cybersecurity, Digital Identity, and Aerospace solutions, in the most sustainable, responsible, and ethical manner.
https://careers.thalesgroup.com/global/en/united-kingdom-apprenticeship (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
• 201 hours annual leave (plus a company day and bank holidays) • Life Insurance • Discount Portal • 80 Hours Volunteering (first two years)
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
- A review is carried out at the end of the third year to confirm the direction of your future career and discuss the options of further training as appropriate
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THALES UK LIMITED
THALES UK LIMITED Thales Future Talent Team
suppearlycar@uk.thalesgroup.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000349482.
Apply now
Closes on Thursday 12 February 2026
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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.