Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing Degree Apprenticeship
BABCOCK INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Bristol, GB (BS3 2HQ)
Closes on Monday 7 December 2026
Posted on 15 October 2026
Contents
Summary
Our 5-Year Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing Apprenticeship gives you hands-on experience working on some of the UK’s most exciting and important engineering projects. From the very start, you’ll be contributing to work that plays a critical role in national security, while studying towards a recognised engineering degree.
- Wage
-
£23,776 a year
- Training course
- Manufacturing engineer (degree) (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 1 September 2027
- Duration
-
5 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 Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing Apprentice, you will play a vital role in supporting the design, build and improvement of essential mechanical systems and equipment.
- During your apprenticeship, you’ll spend some time based in a manufacturing environment, gaining practical skills in our Apprentice Workshop and learning core techniques such as milling, turning and fitting. These experiences will give you a solid foundation in how things are made and how quality is maintained.
- As you progress, you’ll rotate through different parts of our Marine business, supporting the design, development and delivery of complex engineering solutions. You’ll work on projects that span the full engineering lifecycle, including the design and production of cutting-edge submarines for both the UK and international navies.
- Along the way, you’ll develop your problem-solving, troubleshooting and collaboration skills. You’ll be supported by experienced engineers, mentors and team leads – all dedicated to helping you grow. With their guidance and your own curiosity and commitment, you’ll play your part in ensuring our designs meet the highest standards of safety and performance.
- By the end of the programme, you’ll have a rich mix of practical experience, technical insight and industry knowledge to help you take your next steps with confidence.
Where you'll work
Bristol, GB
BS3 2HQ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND, BRISTOL
Training course
Manufacturing engineer (degree) (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes, operational designs, or specifications for manufacturing projects or programmes of work.
- Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve problems and determine solutions or actions.
- Collate, store, use and present data and supporting documentation.
- Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics.
- Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data evidence.
- Manage assigned projects or programmes of work, taking into account factors such as planning, safety, quality, cost, performance and sustainability.
- Apply processes for project or programme management such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety and security standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
- Identify and use manufacturing processes, resources and technologies to turn the materials, components or other commodities into a finished product or system.
- Apply quality management and assurance processes to identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the manufacturing engineering process.
- Carry out pre operations checks of engineering manufacturing systems and equipment before use.
- Manage continuous improvement activities using techniques such as Six Sigma, 5s, Kaizen, Lean, Kanban, Statistical Process Control or Value Stream Mapping.
- Create, maintain and review project documentation. Record and action any non-conformities.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing for example technical reports, documents and presentations.
- Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders. Manage differing and competing interests with stakeholders.
- Identify and complete opportunities for personal and professional development including keeping up to date with current and emerging technology.
- Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Consider management of change (MOC) requirements when undertaking manufacturing projects or programmes of work.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability legislation, regulations and standards associated with the manufacturing engineering environment. Uses resources efficiently, for example waste minimisation.
- Ensure equipment is managed and maintained.
- Optimise processes and procedures, such as relating to safety, efficiency, performance, productivity and sustainability.
- Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured, checked and tested for safe operation, efficiency and reliability.
- Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes, operational designs, or specifications for manufacturing projects or programmes of work.
- Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve problems and determine solutions or actions.
- Collate, store, use and present data and supporting documentation.
- Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics.
- Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data evidence.
- Manage assigned projects or programmes of work, taking into account factors such as planning, safety, quality, cost, performance and sustainability.
- Apply processes for project or programme management such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety and security standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
- Identify and use manufacturing processes, resources and technologies to turn the materials, components or other commodities into a finished product or system.
- Apply quality management and assurance processes to identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the manufacturing engineering process.
- Carry out pre operations checks of engineering manufacturing systems and equipment before use.
- Manage continuous improvement activities using techniques such as Six Sigma, 5s, Kaizen, Lean, Kanban, Statistical Process Control or Value Stream Mapping.
- Create, maintain and review project documentation. Record and action any non-conformities.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing for example technical reports, documents and presentations.
- Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders. Manage differing and competing interests with stakeholders.
- Identify and complete opportunities for personal and professional development including keeping up to date with current and emerging technology.
- Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Consider management of change (MOC) requirements when undertaking manufacturing projects or programmes of work.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability legislation, regulations and standards associated with the manufacturing engineering environment. Uses resources efficiently, for example waste minimisation.
- Ensure equipment is managed and maintained.
- Optimise processes and procedures, such as relating to safety, efficiency, performance, productivity and sustainability.
- Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured, checked and tested for safe operation, efficiency and reliability.
Training schedule
As part of your apprenticeship, you will study for the BEng Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing Degree through the University of the West of England (UWE).
During the first year, you'll typically spend 2 to 2.5 days per week at Weston College, building core engineering knowledge and practical skills. In years two to four, you'll attend UWE's Frenchay Campus one day per week while continuing to develop your expertise in the workplace. Your studies will include modules covering key engineering topics such as mechanics, thermofluids, manufacturing technology and systems.
The programme blends academic learning with practical application. You’ll start with a strong focus on workshop and hands-on skills, then move into a rotation of placements that give you exposure to analysis, design, quality and more. In your final year, you’ll consolidate your knowledge and experience in a role that prepares you for the next step in your career.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- Any Subject (grade C)
- Any Subject (grade C)
- English (grade C)
- Maths (grade C)
- Science (grade C)
A Level in:
- Biology, Chemistry, Computing/Computer Science (grade C or above)
- Mathematics-based subject (grade 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
- Organisation skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
Other requirements
● Please note that successful application is dependent on acceptance by UWE.
● 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) security 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).
It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.
Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND, BRISTOL
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000058766.
Apply now
Closes on Monday 7 December 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.