Electrical Engineering (Facilities & Equipment) Degree Apprentice

Summary

As an Electrical Engineering (Facilities & Equipment) Degree Apprentice, you will learn how to help look after the electrical systems that keep AWE’s important facilities and equipment running safely and reliably.

Wage

£24,500 a year

A starting salary of £24,500 yearly, increasing to £26,000 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

Electrical and electronic engineer (degree) (level 6)

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 Friday, 8hrs. Please note hours may alter due to your off-site training establishment training times.

37 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 September 2027

Duration

4 years

Positions available

4

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 an Electrical Engineering (Facilities & Equipment) Degree Apprentice, you will learn how to help look after the electrical systems that keep AWE’s important facilities and equipment running safely and reliably.

This is not a traditional engineering role. Instead, you will focus on keeping existing electrical equipment and systems working well, improving them where needed, and making sure they meet safety and compliance requirements.

You will work with experienced engineers who maintain and improve electrical infrastructure across AWE. This could include power supplies, lighting, alarms, monitoring systems and other equipment that supports our work.

You will learn how engineers make sure electrical systems are safe, reliable, ready to use and fit for the future.

You will also see how engineering decisions are made in a highly regulated environment, where safety, quality and following the right processes are extremely important.

During the programme, you will build practical experience in areas such as:

• Electrical engineering
• Asset lifecycle management
• Reliability improvement
• Fault investigation
• Engineering change
• Electrical safety
• Plant performance monitoring
• Regulatory compliance
• Electrical cable calculations

As an Electrical Engineer (Facilities & Equipment) at AWE, you may work with equipment and systems such as:

• HV and LV switchgear and distribution.
• Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)
• Emergency lighting systems
• Lightning protection systems
• Pumps, fans and drives including HVAC and Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)
• Alarm, monitoring and safety interlock systems
• Nuclear safety support systems and building management systems

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

Electrical and electronic engineer (degree) (level 6)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes, operational designs, or specifications for electrical and electronic projects or programmes of work.
• Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve problems and determine solutions or actions.
• Collate, store, use and present data and supporting documentation.
• Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics.
• Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data evidence.
• Manage assigned projects or programmes of work, taking into account factors such as planning, safety, quality, cost, performance and sustainability.
• Apply processes for project or programme management such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
• Comply with statutory and organisational safety and security standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
• Identify and use processes, resources and technologies to complete electrical and electronic engineering projects or programmes of work.
• Apply quality management and assurance processes to identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the electrical and electronic engineering process.
• Carry out pre operations checks of electrical and electronic engineering systems and equipment before use.
• Manage continuous improvement activities using techniques such as Six Sigma, 5s, Kaizen, Lean, Kanban, Statistical Process Control or Value Stream Mapping.
• Create, maintain and review project documentation. Record and action any non-conformities.
• Communicate with others verbally, for example colleagues and stakeholders.
• Communicate in writing, for example technical reports, documents and presentations.
• Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders. Manage differing and competing interests with stakeholders.
• Identify and complete opportunities for personal and professional development including keeping up to date with current and emerging technology.
• Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Consider management of change (MOC) requirements when undertaking electrical and electronic projects or programmes of work.
• Comply with environmental and sustainability legislation, regulations and standards associated with the electrical and electronic engineering environment. Uses resources efficiently, for example waste minimisation.
• Ensure equipment is managed and maintained.
• Optimise processes and procedures, such as relating to safety, efficiency, performance, productivity and sustainability.
• Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured, checked and tested for safe operation, efficiency and reliability.
• Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes, operational designs, or specifications for electrical and electronic projects or programmes of work.
• Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve problems and determine solutions or actions.
• Collate, store, use and present data and supporting documentation.
• Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics.
• Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data evidence.
• Manage assigned projects or programmes of work, taking into account factors such as planning, safety, quality, cost, performance and sustainability.
• Apply processes for project or programme management such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
• Comply with statutory and organisational safety and security standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
• Identify and use processes, resources and technologies to complete electrical and electronic engineering projects or programmes of work.
• Apply quality management and assurance processes to identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the electrical and electronic engineering process.
• Carry out pre operations checks of electrical and electronic engineering systems and equipment before use.
• Manage continuous improvement activities using techniques such as Six Sigma, 5s, Kaizen, Lean, Kanban, Statistical Process Control or Value Stream Mapping.
• Create, maintain and review project documentation. Record and action any non-conformities.
• Communicate with others verbally, for example colleagues and stakeholders.
• Communicate in writing, for example technical reports, documents and presentations.
• Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders. Manage differing and competing interests with stakeholders.
• Identify and complete opportunities for personal and professional development including keeping up to date with current and emerging technology.
• Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Consider management of change (MOC) requirements when undertaking electrical and electronic projects or programmes of work.
• Comply with environmental and sustainability legislation, regulations and standards associated with the electrical and electronic engineering environment. Uses resources efficiently, for example waste minimisation.
• Ensure equipment is managed and maintained.
• Optimise processes and procedures, such as relating to safety, efficiency, performance, productivity and sustainability.
• Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured, checked and tested for safe operation, efficiency and reliability.

Training schedule

Please note the apprenticeship is 48 months followed by the End Point Assessment.

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:

Maths, English and Science (grade 4/C or above)

A Level in:

Maths, further maths, physics, stats, IT (grade BBC (see other info))

T Level in:

Engineering and Manufacturing (grade Merit (see other info))

BTEC in:

Engineering and Manufacturing, (grade DDM)

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
• Customer care skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Maths skills

Other requirements

112-120 UCAS 3 A levels BBC or BCC in relevant subjects - 1from the following list - Maths, further maths physics, statistics or T level Merit Engineering and Manufacturing, or BTEC DMM. Plus GCSE Maths, English and Science at Grade 4/C or above  

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 31st August 2027.