2026 Manufacturing Apprentice

Job Overview
Job purpose

Are you passionate about Engineering and Manufacturing? Do you have an inquisitive mind? Are you looking for an employer who will sponsor you through a qualification, whilst providing valuable and exciting on-the-job experience within a global, innovative and industry-leading organisation?

If so, please read on to see what Thales has to offer…

As a Manufacturing Technician Apprentice, you will work to develop a wide range of skills over a 4 year long programme. Manufacturing Apprentices are based in the Industry sector of Thales Glasgow, where you will work to support the industry work cells to develop, assemble and test cutting edge technology and maintain our currently supported high end technology, dating back through the decades. The technology that you will assemble and test in Glasgow will develop your skills in Optical, Mechanical and Electrical assembly, and testing, with opportunity to grow your career and develop specialist skills. You will also develop your "Essential Skills" (soft skills) which include working behaviours, communication and team working elements.

Part of your role as an apprentice, is also to develop your technical skills that you require for your role, both at college and in the workplace. You will be provided with a development plan to allow you to do this, working with experienced technicians and engineers to develop your full potential in the business.

These positions are for a full Modern Apprenticeship programme culminating in the attainment of an SVQ PEO Level 2, Diploma 7 and an HNC Level Academic qualification.

On completion of the 4-year programme successful candidates would achieve fully qualified Engineering status.

Year 1: For the first 6 months you will undertake your SVQ PEO Level 2 and HNC full time at a further education provider, with the remainder of the year completed by attending the Glasgow Thales site in your first placement.

Year 2 & 3: Participate in training within production work cells on a rotational basis, to obtain a fully flexible range of core skills on all aspects of the manufacturing processes of Assembly and Test. All training recorded and verified to Diploma 7 SVQ standard and externally assessed and verified.

Year 4: Complete full Diploma 7 Work Based Learning job packs to obtain full qualification. Progression to Integration and Test Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering, Product System Testing, Inspection, Optical Testing and Environmental Testing. Full review of further education achieved and consider higher level qualification if appropriate.

2 Highers in English and Maths at a level B or above

5 National 5s including English, Maths and a Science subject at Grade C or above

Live and work in Scotland for the duration of the programme.

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, all our roles are subject to security restrictions.

All successful candidates must possess the permanent right to work in the UK and will be required to go through Government security clearance at BPSS Level and to obtain full Security Clearance (SC) in line with the United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) requirements below, prior to starting with us.

This role requires you to be a sole British National from birth and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, eligibility to work in the UK, time spent abroad over the last 5 years, as well as employment and / or educational history.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please follow this link -

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This employer is part of the Disability Confident scheme. This means if you identify yourself as disabled, and meet the minimum criteria for this job, you should be offered an interview.