Level 6 Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
Office of Communications (Ofcom)
Recruiting nationally
Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 22 July 2026)
Posted on 9 July 2026
Contents
Summary
You could play a vital role in delivering high-quality spectrum assurance, ensuring the effective management and protection of the UK’s civil radio spectrum. This role combines technical expertise, problem-solving, and investigative work to identify and resolve issues affecting spectrum users.
- Wage
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£24,479 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
In addition to the advertised starting salary, apprentices may be eligible for an annual salary increase and bonus.
- Training course
- Broadcast and media systems engineer (integrated degree) (level 6)
- Hours
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Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, with some flexibility.
35 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
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3 years
- Positions available
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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
As an Apprentice Spectrum Engineering Officer (ASEO), you will play a vital role in ensuring the UK’s radio spectrum remains free from interference and unlicensed use. You will receive full training to develop the technical and regulatory skills needed to protect businesses, consumers, and critical communication services.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Investigating and resolving interference cases - Working on cases passed from the Spectrum Management Centre, locating sources of interference, and ensuring timely resolution
- Providing advice and enforcement support - Offering guidance to spectrum users and, when necessary, taking enforcement action to maintain compliance with regulations
- Proactively monitoring and investigating spectrum use - Identifying and addressing instances of unlicensed or improper use of the radio spectrum to keep UK businesses and consumers "on the air"
- Managing the radio spectrum within your region - Conducting fieldwork to monitor, inspect, and investigate spectrum use, ensuring services operate legally and efficiently
Where you'll work
Location: This is a field-based role covering the South of England. We welcome applications from candidates based across the region, including (but not limited to) Essex, Suffolk, Sussex, Berkshire, Hampshire, South London, Brighton and surrounding areas. Regular travel is an essential part of the role. The successful candidate will be expected to attend our Baldock office approximately once per month for team meetings, training and development activities.
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY
Training course
Broadcast and media systems engineer (integrated degree) (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Monitor and maintain operational systems through analysis and problem solving
- Operate and maintain technical broadcast or networking systems following defined procedures to ensure uninterrupted service, in line with service level agreements
- Apply a logical, structured approach to identifying, isolating and diagnosing root causes and addressing technical problems and resolving faults on broadcast systems and networks using appropriate tools and techniques
- Use software to monitor and maintain broadcast and network system availability, interrogate data and act on any issues
- Use and maintain mobile and fixed test and measurement equipment such as analysers, and act on the results
- Use technical knowledge bases to support existing and new installations
- Comply with own organisations policies and procedures relating to individual and group responsibilities for Health and Safety
- Design systems and specifications
- Produce and update system designs and documentation when required
- Interpret and use technical documentation including circuit diagrams and data sheets when creating, installing or maintaining systems and networks
- Identify and specify the appropriate cables, connectors and components for the required frequencies or data rates that need to be delivered
- Install systems and share technical knowledge
- Install broadcast and network systems, commissioning and producing appropriate technical documentation and handover to users checking these are understood
- Communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing, taking into account the audience and possible impact on business relationships
- Provide technical advice and guidance as required
- Maintain a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
Training schedule
Broadcast and Media Systems Engineer (integrated degree) Level 6.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
A Level in:
- Engineering or relevant STEM subject (i.e Physics) (grade B and above)
- Maths (grade B and above)
UCAS 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
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Passion for Engineering
- Embracing change
- Building relationships
- Articulates ideas
- Pursues growth
- Technical & legal aptitude
Other requirements
You should be open to UK-wide travel for apprenticeship training and ongoing skills development, and committed to obtaining a full UK driving licence by December 2027.
About this employer
As the UK’s communications regulator, we’re delivering vital work that helps keep the UK connected and shapes the future of how we’ll stay connected with each other. Our work covers everything from phones and broadband, through to TV, radio, the postal service, and wireless devices. We’re also taking on the challenge of making the online world a safer place. And we need people of all backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences to help us achieve our goal of making communications work for everyone.
https://careers.ofcom.org.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Ofcom offers a number of benefits including private medical insurance, pension, 26 days annual leave and £1,000 flex cash allowance to provide flexibility on purchasing benefits that suit your needs and lifestyle.
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
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Opportunity for a full-time role upon the successful completion of the apprenticeship, subject to performance and a permanent position being available.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000039861.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 22 July 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.