Chemical and Process Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

Babcock International

Bristol, Warrington

Closes on Thursday 18 December 2025

Posted on 10 October 2025

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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 while contributing to engineering projects that support the UK’s energy security, advance clean energy goals, and strengthen national defence.

• Wage:

  £22,800 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Year 1: £22,800 Year 2: £25,993 Year 3: £29,186 Year 4: £32,380

• Training course: Science industry process and plant engineer (degree) (level 6)
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

  35 hours a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 September 2026

• Duration:

  4 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

• 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

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

• Bristol, BS16 1EJ
• Warrington, WA3 6YD

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 4(C) and above)
• Any subject (grade 4(C) and above)
• Any subject (grade 4(C) and above)
• Chemistry (grade 4(C) and above)
• English (grade 4(C) and above)
• Mathematics (grade 6(B) and above)

A Level in:

• Any subject (grade A or above)
• Chemistry (grade B or above)
• Mathematics (grade B or above)

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
• Team working

Other requirements

Many of our apprenticeship programmes are subject to security clearance and trade control restrictions, which means 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 a 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

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. You’ll earn a competitive starting salary of over £30,000, with opportunities for further development and progression.

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 VAC1000345333.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 18 December 2025

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.