Career Opportunities: Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing Degree Apprenticeship (60245)

Programme title: Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing Degree Apprenticeship
Level: 6
Starting Salary: £23,776
Location: Bristol
Application closing date: 20 March 2025
Programme start date: September 2025

Role ID: 60245

Earn a good salary whilst gaining a degree and extensive real-world experience on our 6-year Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing Degree Apprenticeship. Work alongside experienced engineers on a range of interesting projects including Submarines and Surface Ships and help us to continue to develop at pace to meet our customers’ needs.

About the programme 

As an apprentice, you’ll spend your first year in a manufacturing environment, working in the Apprentice Workshop and other areas to gain a deep understanding of our operations and learn fundamental skills such as milling, turning, fitting, and other manufacturing techniques.

Over the next three years, you will rotate through various placements across the business, working alongside skilled engineers to gain experience in different departments and learn how we produce high-quality, complex assemblies.

Throughout your apprenticeship, you will be exposed to nearly the entire design cycle, developing the associated engineering skills. In years 5 and 6, you will take on a substantive role in an area of the business you want to specialise in.

This programme provides broad exposure to our business, offering experience in analysis, design, quality, and project management. There are also opportunities to undertake off-site placements at some of our other business units – something we strongly encourage and support.

Your education/training

Over the course of this 6-year programme, you'll not only gain a wide range of work experience, but you'll also earn a Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing Degree (BEng) through the University of the West of England (UWE). Additionally, you'll participate in in-house training courses and soft skills training to develop your personal growth and teamwork abilities.

Future prospects

At the end of the programme, you will be at Engineer grade, identical to your peers who have completed our graduate programme and are working to become our future Lead Engineers and Design Managers.

You will also have the practical and academic knowledge to be able to take on some of the complex projects that Babcock is involved in, opening up opportunities for long-term career development across the business.

Additionally, there may be opportunities to pursue higher-level qualifications, further enhancing your career prospects within Babcock.

What you’ll need  

• Tariff points: 112
• GCSEs: A minimum of five GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above, including English and Mathematics, or equivalent (we accept Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths).
• Plus, one of the following:
• A-levels: Grade C or above in Mathematics and Physics, plus a pass in one of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computing/Computer Science, Design and Technology, Electronics, Engineering, ICT, Further Mathematics, Music Technology, Statistics. Points from A-level General Studies and AS-level subjects (not taken onto full A-level) can be included towards the overall tariff. You must have a minimum of two A-levels.
• EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: One of the following BTEC Diplomas: Aeronautical Engineering, Applied Science, Construction and the Built Environment, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Engineering, Land-based Technology, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Operations and Maintenance Engineering. Must include Merit in one of the following units: Further Engineering Mathematics or Further Mathematics for Construction. Please list the units that you are taking in your application. 
• Access: Achievement of the HE Diploma; to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit including 15 in Mathematics and 15 in another science or technology subject. Please list the units that you are taking in your application.
• Baccalaureate IB: To include a minimum grade of 5 in higher level Mathematics and Physics, and a pass at higher level in one of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design Technology, Environmental Systems and Societies.
• Irish Highers: H2 in Mathematics and Physics plus a pass in one of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Technology.
• T Levels: Grade C in A-Level Mathematics, in addition to your T Level qualification. If you have or are looking to partially complete your T-Level, you are still required to have the equivalent to 2 full A-Levels as part of our minimum entry requirements. As a result, if you are applying with only the core or occupational specialism, this may be insufficient as a stand-alone qualification.
• Please note that successful application for the apprenticeship is dependent on acceptance by UWE. 
• You’ll need to have strong communication skills, the ability to work well in a team, be self-motivated and have a passion for Engineering and Technology.
• Many of our early careers roles are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which roles you are eligible for. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). For our early careers roles, you must be able to achieve BPSS and many of them require you to be eligible for Security Clearance.

What you’ll get 

We’ll provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career. 
 
In addition, you’ll benefit from:

• Fully funded qualification
• Personal development training and opportunities
• Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
• Competitive pension scheme 
• Employee share scheme
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal

You will also be expected to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.

Your career development

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.

Closing dates   

Please be aware that if there is a high level of interest in this programme, applications may close earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered for a place on this programme, please submit your application as early as possible.