Large Goods Vehicle Driver Apprenticeship
Babcock International
Plymouth (PL1 4SG)
Closes on Thursday 12 March 2026
Posted on 2 December 2025
Contents
Summary
Want to be part of a team where everyone plays a crucial role in delivering vital services to the Royal Navy? Our 16-month Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Driver Apprenticeship will give you the skills you need to become a successful Transport Operative and launch an exciting and varied career in logistics.
- Wage
-
£15,500 a year
- Training course
- Large goods vehicle (LGV) driver C + E (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
34 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 4 months
- Positions available
-
2
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
- At Babcock, defence logistics is more than just moving goods - it's about ensuring that our servicemen and women have what they need, when they need it, wherever they are in the world. As an LGV Driver Apprentice at Devonport Royal Dockyard, you will play a key role in this mission, learning how to safely deliver loads on time and provide reliable passenger transport services for both Babcock and our Royal Navy customers. Whether moving critical supplies or transporting people, your role will be vital in keeping operations running smoothly
- Safety is at the core of our logistics operations. Throughout your apprenticeship, you will learn how to maintain the integrity of your load and vehicle by performing essential vehicle checks, applying safe load restraint procedures, and practicing fuel-efficient driving. You will also gain a thorough understanding of workplace health and safety regulations, the highway code, traffic legislation, and working time directive laws
- As an LGV Driver, you will interact with a wide range of people daily, including transport planners, transport managers, fellow drivers, and customers. You will master the art of providing excellent customer service, using effective communication techniques and problem-solving skills to ensure a high-quality service, even when challenges arise
Where you'll work
Devonport Royal Dockyard
Devonport
Plymouth
PL1 4SG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
TRANS-PLANT TRAINING LIMITED
Training course
Large goods vehicle (LGV) driver C + E (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Drive safely and efficiently on public and private roads, and manoeuvre the vehicle in restricted spaces; safely use and position vehicle fitted equipment (eg mobile cranes)
- Proficiently control the vehicle taking into account the size and type of vehicle and trailer
- Use relevant equipment and machinery safely and efficiently to ensure the safe handling of customer goods, safely open and restrain trailer and vehicle body doors.
- Carry out delivery and other relevant activities in a safe and efficient manner complying with relevant systems and processes, following instructions and organisational policy
- Prepare the vehicle and the load for deliveries, including safely using and positioning vehicle fitted equipment; carry out vehicle safety checks and deal with or report any defects or maintenance issues to the appropriate person; complete daily walk round check sheets
- Ensure the vehicle is correctly loaded and is safely secured to minimize chances of damage or load shifting
- Ensure techniques are used to protect the vehicle and load from theft and damage.
- Effectively plan the most economical route to be used, minimising waste and loss; plan, prioritise and adapt accordingly when situations arise out of the normal routine
- Use relevant IT systems appropriately and in line with organisational requirements.
- Fully comply with appropriate legislation and regulation within the transport industry
- Work safely adhering to the health, safety guidelines e.g. manual handling
- Use Appropriate methods to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues in line with organisational standards
- Work independently using own initiative.
- Work closely with suppliers and customers to ensure any problems, damages or anomalies are corrected.
- Work as part of a team, showing an ability to work under pressure and to agreed deadlines.
- Support colleagues and contribute to achieving objectives or goals.
- Use and connect to the correct type of trailer and its operating systems
- Drive safely and efficiently on public and private roads, and manoeuvre the vehicle in restricted spaces; safely use and position vehicle fitted equipment (eg mobile cranes)
- Proficiently control the vehicle taking into account the size and type of vehicle and trailer
- Use relevant equipment and machinery safely and efficiently to ensure the safe handling of customer goods, safely open and restrain trailer and vehicle body doors.
- Carry out delivery and other relevant activities in a safe and efficient manner complying with relevant systems and processes, following instructions and organisational policy
- Prepare the vehicle and the load for deliveries, including safely using and positioning vehicle fitted equipment; carry out vehicle safety checks and deal with or report any defects or maintenance issues to the appropriate person; complete daily walk round check sheets
- Ensure the vehicle is correctly loaded and is safely secured to minimize chances of damage or load shifting
- Ensure techniques are used to protect the vehicle and load from theft and damage.
- Effectively plan the most economical route to be used, minimising waste and loss; plan, prioritise and adapt accordingly when situations arise out of the normal routine
- Use relevant IT systems appropriately and in line with organisational requirements.
- Fully comply with appropriate legislation and regulation within the transport industry
- Work safely adhering to the health, safety guidelines e.g. manual handling
- Use Appropriate methods to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues in line with organisational standards
- Work independently using own initiative.
- Work closely with suppliers and customers to ensure any problems, damages or anomalies are corrected.
- Work as part of a team, showing an ability to work under pressure and to agreed deadlines.
- Use and connect to the correct type of trailer and its operating systems
Training schedule
Your training will be divided between in-person sessions at our training provider’s premises in Marsh Barton, Exeter, and onsite at Devonport Royal Dockyard (travel costs to Exeter will be covered by Babcock).
After the initial 13-month training period, you will enter the End Point Assessment (EPA) phase for the final three months of the programme. This phase will include a practical driving assessment, a multiple-choice test, and an interview to demonstrate your skills and competence.
On successful completion of the programme, you will achieve the Level 2 LGV Driver Apprenticeship standard.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 3/D)
- Maths (grade 3/D)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Logical
- Team working
Other requirements
A full, clean driving licence. You must be 18 years old or over at the start of the programme (for insurance purposes). 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. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels
About this employer
Babcock is an international defence company providing support and product solutions to enhance our customers’ defence capabilities and critical assets. We provide through-life technical and engineering support for our customers’ assets, delivering improvements in performance, availability and programme cost. Our c27,700 employees deliver these critical services to defence and civil customers, including engineering support to naval, land, air and nuclear operations, frontline support, specialist training and asset management. We also design and manufacture a range of defence and civil specialist equipment, from naval ship and weapons handling systems to liquid gas handling systems. We also provide integrated, technology-enabled solutions to our defence customers in areas such as secure communications, electronic warfare and air defence.
https://earlycareers.babcockinternational.com/apprenticeships/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
• 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
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
By the end of your apprenticeship, you will be ready to take on the role of Transport Operative within our Transport Department at Devonport Royal Dockyard, with a competitive salary of £30,000.
As you progress, you will have the opportunity to further develop your skills and potentially advance to a Senior Transport Operative role. Additionally, you may have the option to obtain your Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence, expanding your career opportunities across various roles and functions.
We work closely with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) to provide all members of our Logistics team with the chance to enhance their professional skills as they advance in their careers. With a wide range of training programmes, leadership development opportunities, and career progression paths, your potential is limitless.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
TRANS-PLANT TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000001816.
Apply now
Closes on Thursday 12 March 2026
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