Process and Plant Engineer Degree Apprentice

Summary

Join Babcock as a Process and Plant Engineer Degree Apprentice and, over the course of our 5-year programme, you’ll work towards a BEng in Engineering while contributing to projects that support national security. You'll learn from experienced professionals, gain practical experience and help deliver work that creates a safer world.

Wage

£27,381 a year

Training course

Science industry process and plant engineer (degree) (level 6)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.

35 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 September 2027

Duration

5 years

Positions available

2

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

Based at Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe, you'll join a targeted development programme designed to prepare you for a successful career in process and plant engineering.

You'll contribute to projects involving nuclear process systems and plant equipment that support submarine maintenance, helping to ensure critical infrastructure remains safe, compliant and operational.

Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll support engineering design and technical assurance activities within a nuclear-regulated environment, completing placements across teams including Design Delivery, Technical and Operational Support, Safety Engineering, Engineering Management, Operations and Maintenance, Reactor Commissioning, and Radioactive Waste Management.

Day-to-day, you'll work alongside experienced engineers to support the production of design documentation, carry out engineering calculations and analyses, and contribute to projects across the engineering lifecycle, while developing your knowledge of engineering software, tools, codes and standards. You'll also support inspections and validations in operational environments.

Where you'll work

Devonport Royal Dockyard
Devonport
Plymouth
PL1 4SG

Training

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

Training provider

ASTON UNIVERSITY

Training course

Science industry process and plant engineer (degree) (level 6)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Ensure the control, within own area of responsibility, of major accident hazards, health & safety, to statutory, mandatory and environmental standards.
• Ensure that targets are met and maintained, within own area of responsibility, whilst complying with defined company procedures and legislative requirements
• Prepare for and perform process/plant engineering tasks using the appropriate techniques, procedures and methods
• Support the evaluation, submission, planning, installation and commissioning of capital, maintenance and revenue projects to improve process performance
• Work autonomously to analyse, interpret and evaluate engineering data, presenting the results and problem solving approach clearly and concisely in written and oral form, using technology where appropriate to assist with and evaluate activies
• Apply continuous improvement techniques and support existing manufacturing principles to drive effectiveness and efficiency.
• Manage and/or support the introduction of new technologies and practices
• Use creative thinking and problem solving to challenge assumptions, innovate, make new proposals and build on existing ideas.
• Plan and prioritise process/plant tasks using project planning tools, review and evaluate progress against objectives and investigate alternative scenarios

Training schedule

As part of your apprenticeship, you'll study for a BEng in Professional Engineering (Science Industry Process/Plant Engineer) through Aston University.

Delivered through a block-release study model, the degree covers the essentials of professional engineering, including mathematics and science, while specialising in process and plant engineering. You'll study topics such as computer-aided design, thermo-fluid sciences, engineering management, sustainable engineering and project management, among others.

Alongside your studies, you'll complete placements across specialist teams at Devonport, applying your learning to real projects while benefiting from dedicated technical training, mentoring and support from experienced engineers.

You'll need to be able to work on site at Devonport for a minimum of three days per week and live within a reasonable commuting distance. Throughout the programme, you'll attend Aston University in Birmingham on a block-release basis.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade C)
• Maths (grade C)
• Science (grade C)

A Level in:

• Mathematics-based subject (grade C)
• STEM subject (grade C)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Analytical skills
• Logical

Other requirements

It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.

Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.