Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

CAVENDISH NUCLEAR LIMITED

Hessle (HU13 0GD)

Closes on Thursday 18 December 2025

Posted on 9 October 2025

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Summary

Join our Cavendish Nuclear business and build a career that truly matters. Over this 5-year programme, you’ll study towards a BEng (Hons) in Electro-mechanical Engineering while gaining hands-on experience on initiatives that support the safe delivery of nuclear new build and decommissioning projects.

Wage

£22,800 a year

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Year 1: £22,800 Year 2: £25,993 Year 3: £29,186 Year 4: £32,380 Year 5: £35,773 Post-apprenticeship salary: £43,343

Training course
Electro-mechanical engineer (level 6)
Hours
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

35 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

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 Apprentice at Cavendish Nuclear, you’ll join a collaborative and experienced team working across all phases of the engineering lifecycle. Whether you’re supporting new build or decommissioning projects, you’ll play a vital role in the UK’s civil nuclear sector helping to deliver national energy resilience, meet net zero commitments, and safely clean up the nuclear legacy.

  • You’ll work on a variety of nuclear projects, from developing new technologies and maintaining essential systems to extending the life of vital infrastructure. Your day-to-day activities will include hands-on experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD), 3D modelling, mechanical calculations, and producing engineering documentation to national and international standards. You’ll support operational teams, resolve technical issues, and inform decisions that impact real-world outcomes.

  • As part of your role, you’ll define design requirements, develop 3D CAD models, produce detailed engineering drawings, and carry out scoping calculations. You’ll also prepare equipment specifications, technical reports, and help manage plant and equipment obsolescence to ensure systems remain safe and reliable. Supporting assembly, testing, and operational teams, you’ll offer technical guidance, resolve engineering queries, and manage nonconformance issues, while gaining exposure to advanced engineering tools such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software.

  • Based at one of our key sites in Humberside, you’ll support major projects at locations like Sellafield. You’ll begin by shadowing experienced engineers, building a strong foundation in design, modelling, calculations, and documentation. As you develop, you’ll take on more complex tasks and gain valuable experience across the full design lifecycle. Every drawing, design, or calculation you contribute to plays a part in protecting people, the environment, and the nation’s energy future.

  • Throughout your apprenticeship, you’ll be surrounded by supportive mentors and experienced engineers who are invested in your growth. You’ll be part of a wider emerging talent community, sharing experiences and learning alongside other apprentices across the business. You’ll be trusted to take ownership of your development and supported every step of the way as you turn theory into real-world impact.

Where you'll work

Bridgehead Business Park
Meadow Road
Hessle
HU13 0GD

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM, THE

Training course

Electro-mechanical engineer (level 6)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Communicate technical information with others at all levels, including technical reports and the use of digital tools.
  • Follow a methodical approach to engineering problem solving.
  • Establish and report engineering design briefs.
  • Produce mechanical and electrical designs / drawings / sketches using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and manual systems.
  • Model real-world mechanical systems efficiently.
  • Select the design solution for a given electro-mechanical engineering application and environment using data to inform their decisions.
  • Integrate electrical and mechanical engineering systems, considering new and emerging technologies.
  • Use appropriate equipment to develop and execute test plans to support electro-mechanical product validation and approval.
  • Design functional electronic systems and circuits from component level.
  • Write and document structured programming code for electro-mechanical systems.
  • Fabricate engineering components and assemblies using specialist manufacturing methods and hand fitting techniques.
  • Assemble, wire, program and test electrical equipment, motors and control systems.
  • Plan, manage and lead engineering projects.
  • Perform risk management for engineering activities.
  • Comply with statutory and organisational safety requirements.
  • Communicate technical information with others at all levels, including technical reports and the use of digital tools.
  • Follow a methodical approach to engineering problem solving.
  • Establish and report engineering design briefs.
  • Produce mechanical and electrical designs / drawings / sketches using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and manual systems.
  • Model real-world mechanical systems efficiently.
  • Select the design solution for a given electro-mechanical engineering application and environment using data to inform their decisions.
  • Integrate electrical and mechanical engineering systems, considering new and emerging technologies.
  • Use appropriate equipment to develop and execute test plans to support electro-mechanical product validation and approval.
  • Design functional electronic systems and circuits from component level.
  • Write and document structured programming code for electro-mechanical systems.
  • Fabricate engineering components and assemblies using specialist manufacturing methods and hand fitting techniques.
  • Assemble, wire, program and test electrical equipment, motors and control systems.
  • Plan, manage and lead engineering projects.
  • Perform risk management for engineering activities.
  • Comply with statutory and organisational safety requirements.

Training schedule

  • You’ll study with the University of Nottingham through the Electro-mechanical Engineer Degree Apprenticeship – a five-year programme that combines university teaching with practical experience in the workplace. Each year, you’ll attend university for four separate one-week blocks, plus additional time on campus for exams. These sessions are designed to strengthen your technical knowledge and build your engineering skills.

  • For the rest of the year, you’ll continue learning while working. You’ll watch recorded lectures, complete assignments, and carry out projects that relate directly to your job. This flexible approach means you can study at times that suit your schedule, while applying what you learn in real-world situations.

  • At the end of the programme, you’ll graduate with a BEng (Hons) in Electro-mechanical Engineering. You’ll then move on to a final review and assessment, completing your apprenticeship and stepping into your career as a qualified electro-mechanical engineer.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • Any Subject (grade 4 (C) or above)
  • Any Subject (grade 4 (C) or above)
  • English (grade 4 (C) or above)
  • Maths (grade 4 (C) or above)
  • Science (grade 4 (C) or above)

A Level in:

  • Maths (grade C)
  • Physics (grade C)

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: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

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.

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

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 the programme, you will have earned your degree and gained the skills, experience and knowledge to thrive as a Mechanical Engineer at Cavendish Nuclear – with a competitive salary above £43,000.

  • You’ll also have the opportunity to build on your progress toward professional registration as an Incorporated Engineer, a recognised benchmark of engineering competence.

  • As a global organisation, Babcock provides countless opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career. To support your growth, we’ve introduced the Babcock Role Framework, which outlines roles, career pathways, and development opportunities. With every job mapped to these frameworks, you’ll have a transparent view of the steps needed to reach Senior Engineer and beyond.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM, THE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000345744.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 18 December 2025

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