Engineering Technician Apprenticeship

Babcock International

Bristol (BS16 1EJ)

Closes on Thursday 12 March 2026

Posted on 2 December 2025

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Contents

Summary

Curious about a future in engineering? Our 4-year Level 4 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship could be the perfect launchpad. This exciting programme offers real-world experience, structured learning and the chance to support some of the most complex and important engineering work in the UK.

Wage

£21,641 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Year 1: £21,641 Year 2: £27,412 Year 3: £32,263 Year 4: £34,087

Training course
Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)
Hours
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

35 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

4 years

Positions available

5

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 part of our 200-strong In-Service Submarine Engineering Team, you’ll be joining a group of dedicated professionals who support both in-service and build-stage submarines. The work is varied and meaningful, ranging from design investigations and feasibility studies to maintaining the technical records and configuration data that keep each vessel safe and operational.
  • Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Working alongside engineers and technical specialists, you’ll contribute to real projects that combine design, assurance and engineering delivery. Your time will be split between producing and reviewing 2D and 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) models, carrying out engineering surveys, and supporting data management and documentation. You may also have opportunities to visit submarines at HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland, gaining valuable insight into how your work supports the fleet.
  • As your knowledge and confidence grow, you’ll take on more responsibility in areas such as change control, technical reporting and quality assurance. Every experience will help you build strong analytical and problem-solving skills, while developing a practical understanding of how engineering principles are applied to real-world challenges. 

Where you'll work

Unit 100
Bristol Business Park
Bristol
BS16 1EJ

Training

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

Training provider

WESTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

Training course

Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Read and extract relevant engineering and manufacturing related data and information (such as workplans or project plans, schedules,  drawings, specifications, production data, quality reports, costing data, statistical information) drawing accurate conclusions and making informed decisions.
  • Use project management tools, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT), stakeholder matrices, risk mapping, radar chart and summary risk profiles.
  • Use problem solving tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Fishbone, Practical Problem Solving (PPS) and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
  • Analyse and interpret data and information in order to generate manufacturing engineering documentation such as Parts Per Million (PPM) quality adherence, cost analysis and test data.
  • Communicate using the appropriate method for the audience such as, formal and informal presentations, written reports, verbal, electronic, social media and incorporating relevant and appropriate data or metrics.
  • Use the approved process and quality compliance procedure to create or amend engineering or manufacturing documentation.
  • Use lean tools and techniques, such as Six Sigma, 8 Wastes, Workplace organisation such as 5S's (sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain), Kaizen and Poka-Yoke (Error proofing).
  • Apply documentation control processes and procedures such as format, location, access, authorisation.
  • Use financial planning, recording and review processes and documentation such as departmental budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
  • Use computer based software systems or packages such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Data Analytics and Databases.
  • Read and extract relevant engineering and manufacturing related data and information (such as workplans or project plans, schedules,  drawings, specifications, production data, quality reports, costing data, statistical information) drawing accurate conclusions and making informed decisions.
  • Use project management tools, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT), stakeholder matrices, risk mapping, radar chart and summary risk profiles.
  • Use problem solving tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Fishbone, Practical Problem Solving (PPS) and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
  • Analyse and interpret data and information in order to generate manufacturing engineering documentation such as Parts Per Million (PPM) quality adherence, cost analysis and test data.
  • Communicate using the appropriate method for the audience such as, formal and informal presentations, written reports, verbal, electronic, social media and incorporating relevant and appropriate data or metrics.
  • Use the approved process and quality compliance procedure to create or amend engineering or manufacturing documentation.
  • Use lean tools and techniques, such as Six Sigma, 8 Wastes, Workplace organisation such as 5S's (sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain), Kaizen and Poka-Yoke (Error proofing).
  • Apply documentation control processes and procedures such as format, location, access, authorisation.
  • Use financial planning, recording and review processes and documentation such as departmental budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
  • Use computer based software systems or packages such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Data Analytics and Databases.

Training schedule

As part of your apprenticeship, you’ll study for the Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Standard through Weston College, working towards a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Engineering. 
 
For the first two years, you’ll attend college one day per week, building your academic and technical knowledge while applying what you learn back in the workplace. In your later years, you’ll focus more on live projects, developing practical and professional skills that will prepare you for a career as an engineering professional. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • Any subject (grade Grade C or above)
  • Any subject (grade Grade C or above)
  • English (grade Grade C or above)
  • Maths (grade Grade C or above)
  • Science or Technology or Engineering (grade Grade C 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
  • Organisation skills
  • Team working

Other requirements

Many of our apprenticeship 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 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 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

When you complete the programme, you’ll move into a role as a Trainee Engineer or Configuration Technician. You’ll have the technical understanding, professional qualification and practical experience to take on complex engineering work with confidence. 
 
Upon completion, you can expect to earn a competitive salary exceeding £38,000. 
 
From there, your development doesn’t stop. Through the Babcock Role Framework, you’ll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with mapped-out pathways, development opportunities and the tools you need to get wherever you want to go. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WESTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000001793.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 12 March 2026

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