Nuclear Engineering Apprenticeship: Electrical

Nuclear Engineering Apprenticeship: Electrical (Level 6 Degree)

Location Reading / Basingstoke area (based at one of our key sites at Aldermaston or Burghfield)*

About AWE

We are AWE. We're a team of remarkable people achieving an extraordinary mission: keeping the nation safe and secure.

Our work is critical. We are responsible for delivering the next warhead for the UK's nuclear deterrent; working at the forefront of nuclear technologies that keep the nation safe.

AWEs support for the governments strategy takes many facets: from supporting the weapon programme for the nuclear deterrent, supporting the UKs counter terrorist programme, identifying where there may be nuclear tests taking place around the world, and building an expert group of individuals in order to give the UK real depth in nuclear science and technology.

Start an extraordinary career at AWE; grow your skills, learn from industry experts and become part of a community at one of the most unique companies in the UK.

About The Role

As a Nuclear Engineer Apprentice, you will learn the basics of hand-tools, machining, electrical theory, circuits, instruments, and control logic, before learning how to specify, troubleshoot and maintain various pieces of industrial equipment, such as nuclear vent and containment systems, through lectures and practical workshop projects. You will then undertake focused professional engineering placements in industrial nuclear buildings across the business to gain an appreciation of the additional challenges and safety requirements of providing engineering services in such an environment throughout the engineering lifecycle (Design, Construction, Commissioning, Operations, Utilities). Following completion of your placements and subject to the business need and your career aspirations, your final role placement will be selected, and you will complete your training as a professional engineer in this area.

As a Nuclear degree apprentice, you will work towards BEng in Electrical, Electronic and Control Engineering with Nuclear specialist units. The programme will involve:

• Inquiry-led constructive learning and technology-based assessment
• Nuclear behavioural culture, safety, and security
• Employer focused contextual content

On completion, you will be able to use the knowledge, skills and behaviours developed to enable systems and equipment to operate safely, efficiently and in an environmentally sustainable way, meeting the requirements set out by AWE and those of the Professional Body Institutions. You will have a fundamental knowledge of engineering / science principles and practices and will be able to demonstrate discipline skills corresponding with your job role. This typically will include design, plant performance enhancements, operational management, project management and maintenance of safety standards and, utilising analytical thinking to provide innovative solutions. You will also demonstrate good team skills and the ability to communicate in a variety of forms to all levels within an organisation.

* Throughout your studies there is a requirement for you to attend college on a residential basis. During the first year of your apprenticeship the majority of your time will be spent at college, during the second and third years you will undertake shorter block release periods. Suitable accommodation will be provided for you during these times.

About You

• Good communication skills (i.e. technical speaking, active listening, professional writing, professional body language and technical presentation)
• Reliability with a high level of respect for confidentiality on work-related and personal matters
• Ability to work autonomously and interact effectively within a wide, multi-disciplinary project team
• Ability to understand the impact of work on others, especially where related to diversity and equality
• Good time management skills (i.e. planning and completing work to schedule)
• A supportive attitude to change and ability to respond positively to change management processes
• Ownership for personal development
• Open attitude towards receiving feedback
• Committed to health & safety (i.e. personal, workplace, radiological and nuclear)
• Effective at following rules, procedures and principles
• Enthusiasm and motivation for the nuclear industry
• PC literate
• Excellent team working skills
• Ability to concentrate for long periods

This role may appeal to you if you enjoy:

• Understanding how things work and improving them
• Solving problems in different ways
• Working with Control Systems (Coding Raspberry PI/Arduino, hacking consumer electronics, small audio electronic projects etc.)
• Working with Electrical Systems (Home electrical maintenance, changing sockets/light fittings, vehicle electrical systems)
• Interest in learning / improving practical applications
• Applying engineering principles into real life scenarios

Entry Requirements

• 3 A-levels grade C or above including Maths or; Equivalent level 3 qualification. (Minimum of 102 UCAS points OR existing level 3 qualification - equivalent to an A level)
• Applicants must be aged 18 or over, as of 31st August 2025 due to security clearance requirements
• You must be a British National to apply for a role with us.

The Benefits

• We offer our apprentices a starting salary of £22,250, increasing annually throughout your apprenticeship
• Market leading contributory pension scheme
• Generous holiday entitlement 270 hours a year (inclusive of Bank Holidays) plus every other Friday off
• Access to employee discounts portal, everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services

Alongside these benefits you will get the opportunity to learn from some of the top leaders in their field whilst helping us to continue to deliver national nuclear security, threat reduction and counter-terrorism solutions.

Location Reading / Basingstoke area

Start Date Wednesday the 27th of August 2025.

Annual leave will not be granted from 27th August until 3rd October, due to mandatory inductions and the requirement for you 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.

Duration 4.5 years (varies depending on personal performance)

Recruitment Process
We recruit on a rolling basis which means as soon as our positions have been filled, the scheme will close to new applications. So, please apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out

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.

Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.

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. Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.

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