Control & Instrumentation Maintenance Apprenticeship (Level 3 – Advanced)

AWE PLC

Berkshire (RG7 4PR)

Closes on Sunday 31 January 2027

Posted on 3 November 2026

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Contents

Summary

Engineering-related disciplines are at the heart of AWE, helping us maintain and develop the facilities, equipment and systems that support our mission to keep the nation safe and secure.

 

Wage

£16,750 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Starting salary of £16,750, increasing to £24,500 in Year 2, with further annual salary increases throughout your apprenticeship, subject to satisfactory performance and achievement of apprenticeship milestones.

Market leading contributory pension scheme. Generous paid holiday entitlement of 270 hours per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays, plus every other Friday off as part of AWE’s flexible working pattern

Training course
Engineering maintenance technician - dual discipline (level 3)
Hours
9 day fortnight. 33 hrs on the short week, 8hrs 15 mins per day. 41 hrs on the long week, 8hrs 15 mins per day Monday to Thursday and Fridays 8hrs. Please note hours may alter due to your offsite training

37 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 September 2027

Duration

4 years

Positions available

11

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

From the start of your apprenticeship, you will be aligned to your specific engineering pathway, giving you the opportunity to develop practical skills, technical knowledge and industry experience within your specialist area. Through a combination of hands-on training and college study, you’ll build the foundations needed for a successful career.

This apprenticeship may involve travel to off-site training locations. Transport or expenses will be provided where applicable, and applicants should be willing to travel if required.

Following your initial training period, you will complete placements relevant to your pathway, working alongside experienced engineers and technical specialists. You will apply your learning in a real working environment, further develop your technical skills and gain valuable experience supporting live engineering activities at AWE.

The pathway you follow will shape the type of engineering work you learn and the skills you develop. You do not need to know everything about each area before you apply - the selection process will help you learn more about the options and identify where your interests, strengths and potential may fit best.

The Control & Instrumentation (C&I) Maintenance Apprenticeship allows you to work with the sensors, instruments and control systems that help monitor and control temperature, pressure, flow and system performance, making sure equipment works as it should.

Where you'll work

Atomic Weapons Establishment
Aldermaston
Reading
Berkshire
RG7 4PR

Training

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

Training provider

AWE PLC

Training course

Engineering maintenance technician - dual discipline (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Review and use information. For example, work instructions, drawings, design specifications, and plant configurations.
  • Use planning, prioritising, organising, and time management techniques to plan tasks.
  • Identify and organise resources to complete tasks. For example, consumables.
  • Respond and adapt to work demands. For example, adapt working methods to reflect changes in working environment, re-prioritise workloads to react to breakdowns and fault scenarios.
  • Identify equipment to work on. Check plant configuration is as defined.
  • Prepare the work area for maintenance tasks.
  • Identify environmental and health and safety hazards and risks and apply control measures.
  • Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, signage and barriers, working at height, confined spaces, and COSHH.
  • Follow security procedures. For example, site access, document classification, and securing assets.
  • Follow emergency incident and response procedures.
  • Apply sustainability principles. For example, minimising waste.
  • Segregate items for reuse, recycling, and waste.
  • Use mathematical principles and formulae to support engineering maintenance.
  • Apply engineering maintenance standards and procedures.
  • Apply foreign material exclusion procedures.
  • Follow maintenance tools and equipment control procedures. For example, handling and storage.
  • Reinstate the work area.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate with others to give and receive information. For example, colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
  • Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
  • Record information.
  • Produce or amend documents. For example, handover notes and reports.
  • Identify and highlight issues (red pen), with technical drawings.
  • Use digital and information technology. For example, databases, data sharing platforms, email, management information systems, and word processing. Follow cyber security and GDPR requirements.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques to identify improvement suggestions.
  • Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Confirm safe electrical isolation lockout tagout method has been applied and test for dead.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Select, check, and use electrical maintenance tools, measurement, and test equipment. Select, check, and use control and instrumentation maintenance tools, measurement, and test equipment.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Use electrical diagnostic equipment and apply fault finding and rectification techniques. Use control and instrumentation diagnostic equipment and apply fault finding and rectification techniques.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Apply problem solving and critical reasoning techniques.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Inspect and test electrical aspects of plant. For example, visual checks, insulation and continuity checks, thermographic surveys, and voltage levels.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Remove and replace electrical parts.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Prepare and terminate electrical cables.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Set up and adjust electrical aspects of plant.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Clean parts. For example, removal of dust and debris.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Conduct and confirm electrical and connected services isolation and deisolation.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Conduct functional testing.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Inspect and test control and instrumentation systems.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Check calibration and make adjustments.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Check loop function.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Set up and adjust control and instrumentation systems.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Remove and replace instruments and sensors.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Re-connect instrumentation power supply, cables, pipework, and services.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Confirm safe electrical isolation lockout tagout method has been applied and test for dead.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Conduct and confirm electrical and connected services isolation and deisolation.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Select, check, and use electrical and mechanical maintenance tools, measurement, and test equipment.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Use electrical and mechanical diagnostic equipment and apply fault finding and rectification techniques.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Apply problem solving and critical reasoning techniques.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Inspect and test electrical aspects of plant. For example, visual checks, insulation and continuity checks, thermographic surveys, and voltage levels.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Remove and replace electrical parts.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Prepare and terminate electrical cables.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Set up, align, and adjust electrical aspects of plant.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Clean parts. For example, removal of dust and debris.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Conduct functional testing.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Check condition and operation of mechanical aspects of plant and equipment. For example, pumps.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Remove and replace mechanical parts.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Examine mechanical parts for defects. For example, pump seals.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Set up, align, and adjust mechanical aspects of plant.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Lubricate mechanical assemblies.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Apply bench fitting techniques.
  • Review and use information. For example, work instructions, drawings, design specifications, and plant configurations.
  • Use planning, prioritising, organising, and time management techniques to plan tasks.
  • Identify and organise resources to complete tasks. For example, consumables.
  • Respond and adapt to work demands. For example, adapt working methods to reflect changes in working environment, re-prioritise workloads to react to breakdowns and fault scenarios.
  • Identify equipment to work on. Check plant configuration is as defined.
  • Prepare the work area for maintenance tasks.
  • Identify environmental and health and safety hazards and risks and apply control measures.
  • Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, signage and barriers, working at height, confined spaces, and COSHH.
  • Follow security procedures. For example, site access, document classification, and securing assets.
  • Follow emergency incident and response procedures.
  • Apply sustainability principles. For example, minimising waste.
  • Segregate items for reuse, recycling, and waste.
  • Use mathematical principles and formulae to support engineering maintenance.
  • Apply engineering maintenance standards and procedures.
  • Apply foreign material exclusion procedures.
  • Follow maintenance tools and equipment control procedures. For example, handling and storage.
  • Reinstate the work area.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate with others to give and receive information. For example, colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
  • Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
  • Record information.
  • Produce or amend documents. For example, handover notes and reports.
  • Identify and highlight issues (red pen), with technical drawings.
  • Use digital and information technology. For example, databases, data sharing platforms, email, management information systems, and word processing. Follow cyber security and GDPR requirements.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques to identify improvement suggestions.
  • Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.

Training schedule

The Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship will typically take around 3 to 4 years to complete, depending on your engineering pathway, training plan and progress through the programme.

During your apprenticeship, you will complete a mix of college-based learning, practical skills development and workplace placements. This will help you build the technical knowledge, hands-on experience and behaviours needed for your chosen engineering pathway.

You will be supported throughout the programme by AWE, your training provider and your placement teams. More detailed information about the structure of each pathway, including any off-site training requirements, will be shared during the assessment and offer process.

More training information

  • Please note that the training provider for this apprenticeship will be an external organisation and is yet to be confirmed
  • We will share details once they are finalised
  • Training may be delivered through either day release or block release, depending on the provider and apprenticeship programme

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 GCSES inc English and Maths (grade 4/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
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Health and Safety

Other requirements

Start Date: 1st September 2027.
Annual leave will not be granted from 1st
September until 1st October due to mandatory
inductions you are required to complete as part of
your apprenticeship. Any leave approved after this
point will depend on the training provider
requirements for your apprenticeship and must be
agreed in advance.
These roles are governed by Health and Safety at
Work Regulations and require all candidates to
have an Occupational Health pre-employment
medical held at AWE which follows the initial
selection process. All candidates must be willing
and able to obtain and maintain the necessary
security clearance for the role and be willing and
able to work in designated areas.
Our ambition is to create workplaces where we
recognise and celebrate differences, encourage
diverse contributions and our employees feel able
to be themselves at work. We strive to create a
genuine culture of openness and inclusion and
encourage diverse applicants.
If you choose to share information on your
application form about support needs, learning
differences, disabilities, health conditions or
adjustments, we may contact you to understand
how we can support you through the recruitment
process. This information will only be used for this
purpose and will be handled in line with GDPR.
Due to the security requirements associated with
this apprenticeship, applicants must be British
Nationals and be aged 18 or over by 31 August
2027

About this employer

We’re a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of our NATO allies.  

Our work is critical. We’re delivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology. But that’s just part of the story. 

We support the UK government in a range of vital areas – from counter-terrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world-class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security.

At AWE, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll find purpose, growth, and a community like no other. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of something truly unique.

Be extraordinary at AWE.

http://www.awe.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Access to employee discounts portal, with everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure
  • Employee Assistance Support Programme and Occupational Health Services
  • Alongside these benefits, you will get the opportunity to learn from some of the UK’s leading engineers and technical specialists, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to work that supports national nuclear security, threat reduction and counter-terrorism

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

  • Following successful completion of your apprenticeship, and subject to business need and your career aspirations, you’ll move into a role within the business, aligned to the pathway you have trained in
  • You’ll become part of a skilled community, supporting some of the UK’s most unique facilities, equipment, processes and technologies, while continuing to develop your career at AWE

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

AWE PLC

Early Careers

earlycareers@awe.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000062402.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 31 January 2027

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