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?
There is a wide variety of mechanical maintenance roles at AWE such as working on the steam powered heating systems, servicing, checking and hanging filters within air handling units, bearing checks and heat and vibration level checks on motors, and perform routine services.
As a Mechanical Maintenance Apprentice, you will learn the basics of hand tools then move onto learning the operations of various machines such as milling machines, pillar drill and lathes. You will gain a variety of skills including setting up rigs, maintenance and set up of basic pipe fittings, and making crank sets. Other skills will include disassembling and reassembling equipment such as vacuum pumps, Ogden pumps and calorifiers. Further experience gained during your apprenticeship will include using hydraulic lifting equipment, cranes, compressed air, heater batteries and air ventilation systems. You will also learn how to make gaskets, pipework (which you will also pressure-test), and re-build gearboxes.
After up to two years of hands-on learning at our award-winning Skills Academy, you will then spend another year on placements out in the business. Your experience on these placements could include working on steam leaks and fixing pipework, ultrasound surveys, vibration analysis, and working in the trial assembly & disassembly of explosives.
Mechanical Maintenance may appeal to you if you enjoy:
- Understanding how mechanical assemblies work
- Understanding how heating, ventilation and cooling systems work
- Understanding the operation and maintenance of rotating plant and equipment
- Problem solving activities
- Being hands on
- Applying engineering principles into real life scenarios
Entry requirements
- A practical aptitude for engineering or technology
- Computer literacy (PC)
- Excellent team working skills
- Good communication skills
- Awareness of health and safety
- The ability to follow instructions
- The ability to concentrate for long periods
- A real passion and motivation for this type of work
- 5 GCSE’s at grade 4/C or above to include Maths and English
- Applicants must be aged 16 or over, as of 12th 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