Chemical and Process Engineer Degree Apprenticeship
CAVENDISH NUCLEAR LIMITED
Warrington (WA3 6YF)
Closes on Monday 7 December 2026
Posted on 15 October 2026
Contents
Summary
Join our Cavendish Nuclear business and help deliver safe, secure, and sustainable nuclear solutions that protect people and the planet. Through this 4-year programme, you’ll work towards a BEng degree, contributing to engineering projects that support the UK’s energy security, clean energy goals, and strengthen national defence.
- Wage
-
£23,598 a year
- Training course
- Science industry process and plant engineer (degree) (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
25 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 1 September 2027
- Duration
-
4 years
- 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
- As a Chemical and Process Engineering Apprentice, you’ll be part of a collaborative and welcoming team that’s solving complex challenges in nuclear power generation and decommissioning. From your first day, you’ll begin learning how to apply core chemical engineering principles to real-world projects that support everything from low-carbon energy to defence and environmental clean-up.
- You’ll be based in one of our main hubs – Dalton Avenue in Warrington, the Babcock Technology Centre in Bristol, or Humberside – and work on a diverse portfolio of projects. These might include adapting reactor technologies for UK deployment, supporting the UK’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet, or helping to decommission legacy nuclear sites safely and sustainably.
- Your tasks could include defining process requirements, specifying and testing equipment, or assessing how our systems perform under different conditions. As your skills grow, so will your responsibilities. You’ll develop problem-solving techniques, communication skills and an understanding of the tools and software used across the sector.
Where you'll work
Warrington
WA3 6YF
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY
Training course
Science industry process and plant engineer (degree) (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Ensure the control, within own area of responsibility, of major accident hazards, health & safety, to statutory, mandatory and environmental standards.
- Ensure that targets are met and maintained, within own area of responsibility, whilst complying with defined company procedures and legislative requirements
- Prepare for and perform process/plant engineering tasks using the appropriate techniques, procedures and methods
- Support the evaluation, submission, planning, installation and commissioning of capital, maintenance and revenue projects to improve process performance
- Work autonomously to analyse, interpret and evaluate engineering data, presenting the results and problem solving approach clearly and concisely in written and oral form, using technology where appropriate to assist with and evaluate activies
- Apply continuous improvement techniques and support existing manufacturing principles to drive effectiveness and efficiency.
- Manage and/or support the introduction of new technologies and practices
- Use creative thinking and problem solving to challenge assumptions, innovate, make new proposals and build on existing ideas.
- Plan and prioritise process/plant tasks using project planning tools, review and evaluate progress against objectives and investigate alternative scenarios
Training schedule
- You’ll study remotely with Teesside University, following the Science Industry Process and Plant Engineer Degree Apprenticeship standard.
- This well-established chemical engineering programme is delivered through a flexible, blended learning model designed to fit around your work commitments. You’ll engage in online learning supported by weekly live seminars, giving you access to expert teaching while applying your knowledge directly in the workplace.
- On successful completion, you’ll be awarded a BEng in Professional Engineering (Science Industry Process/Plant Engineer), along with an apprenticeship certificate graded at pass, merit, or distinction – recognising your achievement and readiness to progress in your engineering career.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- Any Subject (grade C)
- Chemistry (grade C)
- English (grade C)
- Maths (grade C)
- Science (grade C)
A Level in:
- Chemistry (grade A/B)
- Maths (grade A/B)
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
- Team working
Other requirements
Many of our 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 and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search ‘United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels’.
About this employer
Babcock is an international defence, aerospace and security company operating in our focus countries of the UK, Australasia, Canada, France and South Africa, with exports to additional markets with potential to become focus countries. We meet our customers’ key requirements of affordability, availability, and capability by delivering engineering, support and critical systems to defence and civil markets.
Company benefits
- Fully funded qualification
- Personal development training and opportunities
- 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
- Competitive pension scheme
- Employee share scheme
- Flexible benefits
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).
Upon successful completion of your degree and apprenticeship end-point assessment, you will transition into a Junior Engineering role at Cavendish Nuclear, contributing to projects across both the civil and defence nuclear sectors.
We are committed to supporting your continued professional development as you work towards becoming a fully qualified Process Engineer and achieving Chartered Engineer status with IChemE. As part of this journey, you’ll join our IChemE Accredited Company Training Scheme (ACTS), benefiting from structured placements, formal training, and ongoing mentoring and coaching.
This comprehensive support framework is designed to help you build the technical expertise, leadership skills, and industry experience needed for a successful engineering career.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000058692.
Apply now
Closes on Monday 7 December 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.