Engineering Support Technician Apprenticeship

Our 4-year Engineering Support Technician Apprenticeship is a great opportunity to start your career in engineering while supporting some of the most advanced naval vessels in the world. Based at Devonport Royal Dockyard, you'll gain the skills and experience needed to keep the Royal Navy's fleet operational and ready for action.

Your role will focus on analysing, reviewing and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications and materials, while learning how projects are planned and delivered across the dockyard. The work is primarily office‑based but includes regular visits to ships, submarines and workshops, giving you a close‑up view of how complex engineering programmes come to life. You'll learn how to report on processes, interpret data and apply problem‑solving skills to improve efficiency and safety.

Over time, you'll build your knowledge of engineering principles, materials, diagnostics, planning and documentation, all while gaining a real appreciation of the precision and teamwork that drive naval engineering.

As part of your apprenticeship, you'll study for the Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship Standard through City College Plymouth. You'll spend your first year full‑time at college, building your practical engineering knowledge and hands‑on skills. From your second year onwards, you'll combine work and study, spending four days a week in the dockyard and one day r final year will be spent entirely at Devonport, applying what you've learned to real engineering projects.

At the end of the programme, you'll complete your End Point Assessment and gain a nationally recognised qualification as a Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician.

• A minimum of 3 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, including Maths, English and a Science or Technology subject.
• Upon programme completion, you can expect to earn a competitive salary exceeding £36,000.
• After 12 months of apprenticeship completion, candidates who consistently excel, demonstrate exceptional commitment, and go above and beyond in their role may be considered for higher education pathways on an individual basis, subject to discussion with their line manager and business needs.
• There are progression routes across Babcock in areas such as design, project management, planning and operations.
• Due to  for entry to the Devonport Dockyard, you will need to 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 which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels -  ().

• 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.
• STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities.
• Automatic enrolment onto the Apprentice Development Programme, which includes digital and face‑to‑face sessions led by wellbeing and performance experts and external partners to help you thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.