Job description
What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?
For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent – Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.
It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?
C&I is one of only two 'critical trades' at AWE and is vital to the successful delivery of our programme of work. Put simply, C&I Engineers enable a wide range of different automated processes to run. To help you understand the technology you will be writing about and to give you the skills and expertise to become a specialist author, you will spend three years studying Control and Instrumentation (C&I).
Technical Authors are the specialists who generate written instructions on how to perform all kinds of technical tasks in a safe, controlled way. It’s a skill that is in demand across a wide range of industries ranging from car assembly, aircraft maintenance to telecommunications. At AWE the role of Technical Author involves producing documentation that explains how to safely build, support and service the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
As an apprentice you will initially be based within the Skills Academy you will develop a basic knowledge of C&I and learn the associated skills. You will further your knowledge through academic studies on day release at college. Thereafter you will progress to the manufacturing aspect of your training where you will start to apply these core skills in a live working environment. This will include servicing, repairing and installing various systems to support our facilities: temperature control, flow and pressure measurement, display gauges and recorders. Once you have completed three years studying C&I and become a qualified maintenance engineer you will start to build your skills as a Technical Author.
Your first out-turn year will be spent learning Desktop Publishing, Technical Authorship and applying your C&I knowledge to written work instructions. You will go on placements around the business learning communications techniques and gain a Diploma in Technical Authorship as you work towards a career in Technical Publications.
At the end of your apprenticeship and first year in the workplace you will be able to:
- Understand the technology
- Collaborate with subject matter experts to clarify technical issues
- Gather and understand the information needs of the user
- Organise and articulate information in a clear and concise written instruction for issue to users undertaking technical tasks
Technical Authoring may appeal to you if you enjoy:
- Understanding how systems/machinery/assemblies work
- Observing and writing
- Problem solving activities
- Computer related activities
- Applying engineering principles into real life scenarios
Entry requirements
- Two A Levels at grade C/4 or above. One subject in English or Mathematics (or equivalent)
- 5 GCSE’s level 4/C or above
- A practical aptitude for engineering or technology
- PC literate
- Great communication skills both written and in person
- Good command of grammar and vocabulary
- Excellent team working skills
- Health and safety aware
- Effective at following instructions
- Ability to concentrate for long periods
- A passion and motivation for this profession
- Applicants must be aged 16 or over, as of 12 August 2024, due to security clearance requirements
- Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. Please note that you must be a British National to apply for a role with us.
If you currently hold a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering or similar, you should consider applying for a Degree level apprenticeship.
What we offer
- We offer our level 3 apprentices a starting salary of £16,000. This increases annually with second year salary being £20,500
- A market leading contributory pension scheme
- Generous holiday entitlement and excellent work/life balance including a nine-day working fortnight. This means that every other Friday you won’t be required to work!
- Access to employee discounts – everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure.
Alongside these benefits you will get the opportunity to learn from some of the top leaders in their field whilst helping us to continue to deliver national nuclear security, threat reduction and counter-terrorism solutions.
Start date
All successful candidates will join us on 12 August 2024. It is important that you are available that week and the week commencing 19 August so you can meet the rest of the Apprentice cohort and take part in our induction programme. There is another compulsory training week from 11 September, so we'll ask you not to request annual leave that week either.
Additional job details
- Location
- Berkshire · Aldermaston.
- Salary
- £16,000
- Contract, dates and working times
- Fixed term
Full-time
How to apply
Would you like to learn more about our selection process? Watch our video to find out more.
Our deadline line for applications is Sunday October 29th. The earlier you apply the better chance you have of success.
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.
Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.
Click Apply to start your application now. This job will be available on Prospects until 3 December 2023
Don't forget to mention Prospects to employers when you contact them.
Closing date: 3 December 2023