Engineering Operative Apprenticeship

Overview

Are you fascinated by how things work? Our 15‑18 month Engineering Operative Apprenticeship will give you practical engineering experience maintaining the Royal Navy’s fleet of ships and submarines. You'll develop vital skills in electrical, mechanical, or fabrication disciplines while contributing to projects that help keep the UK safe.

This Level 2 Engineering Operative apprenticeship will build your engineering skills in one of three trade routes:
Electrical, Mechanical, or Fabrication. Supporting our Engineering Fitters, we’ll train you in core engineering skills like hand fitting, health and safety and general maintenance. You'll also receive specialised training based on the trade route you’re studying. If you’re in Electrical, you’ll learn to maintain electrical equipment and systems, and form and assemble electrical cable enclosures and support systems. In Mechanical, you’ll learn to maintain mechanical devices and equipment and repair mechanical components to bring them back into working condition.

If you’re specialising in Fabrication, your training may involve producing sheet metal components and assemblies, or cutting and shaping materials using thermal cutting equipment. No matter which route you take, you’ll play a vital role in maintaining the Royal Navy’s fleet.

As part of the interview, you will be asked to select your first and second preferred trade area (electrical, mechanical or fabrication) and explain your reasons for choosing it. This helps us understand your interests, motivations, and how your strengths align with the role.

You will work towards obtaining the Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship standard. The first four months of your apprenticeship will take place at City College Plymouth, learning the fundamentals of engineering, such as basic hand skills and the use of hand and bench tools. From then on, you’ll spend one day a week at college and four days at Devonport Dockyard, applying your skills on the job.

Ongoing weekly attendance at college may be required for tutorial sessions or to complete functional skills in maths and English if you do not already hold GCSE qualifications.

• GSCEs at grade D/3 in Maths and English would be beneficial, but are not mandatory.
• Excellent communication skills.
• A can‑do attitude, self‑motivation and collaborative team player.
• Due to  for entry to the Devonport Dockyard, you must provide either a valid passport or a provisional/full UK driving licence. If you do not currently hold one of these forms of , we strongly recommend applying in advance to ensure smooth access on your first day.
• Many of our apprenticeship programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions. You must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance.
• For those who demonstrate the necessary skills, behaviours and motivation to progress, there may be an opportunity to advance to a Level 3 apprenticeship after an 18‑month period following the completion of the initial apprenticeship.

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’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.

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 help you navigate where you want to take your career. Plus, when you join us, you’ll automatically be enrolled onto the 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.

By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll be prepared to step into the role of a Production Support Operative, working alongside mechanical fitters, electrical fitters, or fabricators. In this role, you can expect to earn a competitive salary of over £30,000.