Engineering apprenticeships

Available at intermediate, advanced, higher and degree level, engineering apprenticeships open doors to exciting and challenging careers in a range of industries. Learn more about what's on offer

What engineering apprenticeships are available?

Programmes exist in the following areas:

aerospace
automotive
broadcast
civil engineering
communication
construction
electrical
energy
hydraulics
maintenance
manufacturing engineering
marine
mechanical
mining
process engineering
systems engineering
telecommunications
transport.

A lot of engineering jobs require a degree, so to work in graduate engineering roles you'll need to complete a degree apprenticeship.

Which firms offer apprenticeships?

Airbus - Run a number of apprenticeships including a range of degree apprenticeships in fields such as engineering, electrical/electronic engineering and mechanical engineering.
Amey - Offers apprenticeships at intermediate, advanced, higher and degree level. Degree apprenticeships focus on rail design, civil engineering, data science, environmental practitioner and chartered surveying.
Arup - Recruiting around 70 apprentices a year, Arup offer schemes from intermediate to degree level covering disciplines such as building services, civil and structural engineering and rail design.
Babcock - Runs intermediate/advanced and higher level engineering apprenticeships.
BAE Systems - Offers more that 50 apprenticeships, spanning intermediate, advanced, higher and degree level. Engineering disciplines include electrical, maintenance, mechanical and software.
BBC - Offers an apprenticeship in broadcast engineering.
British Sugar - Runs process and multi-skilled engineering apprenticeships.
BT - Provides a variety of engineering services apprenticeships.
Cadent - You can become a network service technician through their operate and maintain and electrical or instrumentation schemes or become a repair team leader.
EDF - Offers an engineering maintenance apprenticeship and a nuclear engineer degree apprenticeship.
GSK - Advanced apprenticeships cover engineering and manufacturing. Higher and degree apprenticeships are available in data analytics, supply chain and data science.
Jaguar Land Rover - Run a Level 6 applied professional engineering degree apprenticeship lasting four years.
MBDA - Offer four-year apprenticeships in engineering, software and manufacturing.
Nestlé - Provides advanced apprenticeships in engineering and manufacturing.
NHS Trusts - Offered by individual NHS employers, you could undertake an electrical and engineering apprenticeship.
Rolls Royce - Runs manufacturing engineering, engineering and non-destructive testing engineer degree apprenticeships (for those with A-levels) as well as advanced schemes for those with GCSEs.
Sky - Provides broadcast engineering and network engineer degree apprenticeships.
Stagecoach - Runs a mechanical and electrical engineering apprenticeship.
Toyota - Offers maintenance and production apprenticeships.
TUI Group - Provides an aircraft engineering apprenticeship.
Unilever - Taking two to five years to complete depending on the programme, apprenticeships are available in supply chain and engineering.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. British Gas, E.ON, Ford, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Network Rail, Royal Mail and the Armed Forces also offer engineering apprenticeships. If you have a particular interest in the nuclear industry, see nuclear engineering courses to learn more about available apprenticeships in this area.

Engineers are essential in almost all sectors, so make sure that you don't miss out on opportunities in less obvious industries by researching the companies you're interested in to see if they offer any relevant schemes.

View all engineering apprenticeships.

Who are they aimed at?

Apprenticeships are traditionally aimed at school leavers or career changers and are presented as an alternative to university study. However, the level of the scheme will determine who can apply.

Level 2 and Level 3 (intermediate and advanced) apprenticeships are usually aimed at school leavers. You'll need to be 16 or over, living in England and not in full time education to be eligible to apply.

Higher and degree apprenticeships (Levels 4,5,6 and 7) are generally geared towards those with A-levels or those who've already completed an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship.

For the majority of engineering apprenticeships, previous qualifications (usually GCSEs, A-levels for the higher levels) in maths, IT and science are required. Manual dexterity, an interest in the technical side of operating machinery, good people and problem-solving skills, teamwork ability and an enquiring mind are also an advantage.

What's involved in an engineering apprenticeship?

This largely depends on the type and level of apprenticeship taken. For example, the content of an aircraft engineering apprenticeship will be different from a broadcast engineering apprenticeship.

Generally, engineering apprentices take on an operator role, involving anything from installing telecommunications systems, assembling car engines, fitting and testing machinery, to demolishing buildings or checking commercial or RAF aircraft.

However, all programmes involve combining full-time employment with part-time study. You could be allocated one day a week to attend college or university, or study in scheduled blocks of a week or more.

Assessment methods depend on the apprenticeship, but it's likely that you'll be assessed through a combination of essays, coursework and practical and written exams.

To discover what engineering apprenticeships involve, visit Institute for Apprenticeships - Search the apprenticeship standards.

How much will I be paid?

All apprentices are paid the National Minimum Wage (NMW), which currently stands at £5.28 per hour (from April 2023) for apprentices under 19, and those aged over 19 who are in their first year.

If you're over 19 and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, you must be paid the minimum wage for your age.

As an apprentice you'll be paid for your normal working hours as well as for any training that's part of your scheme. You're entitled to at least 20 days paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays.

Individual employers determine salaries, but in most cases you'll be paid significantly more than the NMW. For example, Babcock apprentices can earn anything between £10,000 and £30,000 per annum depending on the level of their apprenticeship, the discipline and location. At EDF apprentices earn £17,821 per year; while Jaguar Land Rover pay their Level 6 applied professional engineering apprentices £24,480.

Once qualified, starting salaries for engineering apprentices can reach up to £35,000.

As an apprentice you'll also be entitled to other benefits such as a pension scheme, access to wellbeing and support services and in some instances discounts.

How do I apply?

You'll need to apply for an apprenticeship as you would any other job. Make sure you research the organisation thoroughly and that you're aware of what the apprenticeship involves. Tailor your application to each role - one size doesn't fit all.

A number of employers open applications in November, while others advertise their schemes early in the year (January to April) with a view to start that September. Furthermore, some organisations advertise apprenticeship vacancies all year round. It differs from company to company, so do your research and keep an eye out for vacancies that suit you.

Applications are normally made online through an application form, but check with the employer as methods can vary. You'll need to use relevant examples in your application.

For an engineering apprenticeship, you could refer to relevant school projects in maths and science or any engineering-focused work experience you've undertaken. You'll likely need to write a cover letter or supporting statement to go with your application. For inspiration, see our example apprenticeship cover letter.

Certain organisations may ask you to sit situational judgement, numerical and psychometric tests as well as participate in an assessment centre as part of their recruitment process.

Learn more about how to apply for an apprenticeship.

Find out more

Gain an insight into the engineering and manufacturing sector.
Decide whether you should go to university or do an apprenticeship.