Our Engineering & Maintenance Apprenticeship is a Level 3, 48-month programme where you’ll be selected for either Electrical, Mechanical, Welding, Pipefitter, or Metal Fabricator—while gaining hands-on experience and technical qualifications.
This is a four-year program where you’ll spend time with our local training provider and complete placements on the Sellafield Site. During your training, you’ll learn a range of hands-on engineering skills across electrical, mechanical, welding, metal fabrication, or pipefitting. You’ll also work towards a Level 3 Technical Certificate, which includes engineering maths equivalent to AS Level. On-site, you’ll join maintenance teams working on plant in active areas, and while most work is during the day, you may need to support shift patterns, including weekends or unsociable hours during training.
To succeed, you’ll need to be motivated and able to manage your time, work independently, and collaborate in a diverse team. The role is physically demanding and requires strong manual dexterity—handling tools and components with precision and care. You’ll follow strict safety standards while troubleshooting, assembling, and maintaining systems. Throughout the apprenticeship, your progress will be assessed against national standards, and you’ll build an evidence portfolio. In the final six months, you’ll complete an End Point Assessment to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviours you’ve gained.
This apprenticeship is a great choice if you enjoy practical, hands-on work and want to learn real engineering skills while earning. It’s a four-year program that mixes on-the-job training with college study, so you’ll need to be organised and ready to balance both. You’ll also be expected to wear the full range of personal protective equipment (PPE) for work in active areas—this can include full PVC suits, gloves, and respirators—and sometimes work in confined spaces or at height. If you’re looking for a career where safety, precision, and learning go hand in hand, this could be perfect for you.
You’ll need to be flexible and prepared for a physically active role. Good attention to detail and manual dexterity are essential because you’ll be handling tools and components with accuracy and care. If you’re motivated, willing to learn, and enjoy working as part of a team in a safety-focused environment, this apprenticeship could be the start of an exciting future in engineering.
During your apprenticeship, you’ll develop essential skills to work safely and effectively in a nuclear environment, including:
- Plant Maintenance
- Manufacturing Products
- Fault Diagnosis & Repair
- Use of Tools & Machinery
- Troubleshooting
- Engineering Maths
- Health & Safety Awareness
- PPE Usage
- Working at Height & Confined Spaces
• Manual Dexterity • Time Management
In addition, you’ll achieve nationally recognised qualifications in those relevant to your chosen pathway:
- Level 3 ST1443: Engineering Maintenance Technician – Dual discipline (Pathway: Electrical and control and instrumentation engineering maintenance technician)
- Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
- Level 3 ST1443: Engineering Maintenance technician – single discipline (Pathway: Mechanical engineering maintenance technician)
- Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
- Level 3 ST0852 – Plate Welder Apprenticeship
- Level 3 ST0162 – Engineering Construction Pipefitter Apprenticeship
- Level 3 Diploma in Installing Engineering Construction Plant and Systems (RQF)
- Level 3 ST0607- Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship
We’re looking for applicants who have a good level of:
- Communication
- Manual Dexterity
- Safety Awareness
The qualifications you’ll need to have, or be predicted:
- 3 GCSEs Grade 4 (Grade C) in Mathematics, English Language & 1 Science/Engineering subject or ICT subject
- Comparable qualifications approved by Ofqual may be considered equivalent to GSCE grade 4 (Grade C)
If you’ve studied in Scotland:
- 3 National 5s at C or above including English and Maths (excluding Application of Maths), 1 Science/Engineering OR ICT subject.
- Comparable qualifications approved by Ofqual may be considered equivalent to GSCE grade 4 (Grade C)
Please be aware that this role is subject to achieving security clearance. This role requires higher level of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 years of continuous residency in the UK. Factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the level of clearance you’re able to achieve.
- Application Closing Date: 15th February 2026
- Numerical Aptitude Test: You will be issued a numerical aptitude test to complete, the date you receive this will depend on when you apply. You will be given a deadline to complete this.
- Assessment: You will be issued an assessment to complete, the date you receive this will depend on when you apply. You will be given a deadline to complete this.
- National Apprenticeship Week: 9th – 15th February 2026
- In-Person Assessment Centre dates: Monday 16th or Tuesday 17th March 2026
- Conditional Offers issued between April & May 2026
- Upon receiving an offer, you’ll be invited to attend a skills scan, this is a pre-requirement for your apprenticeship and will take place between May and July, you will be notified of the date upon receiving your conditional offer.
- Expected Start Date: 21st September 2026
In promoting equal opportunities, we welcome applications from all sections of the community. We select people according to their abilities and our needs. Please regularly check your emails (including any junk mail/spam folders) for correspondence related our apprenticeships, including assessment or interview invitations and any other type of correspondence relating to your application.
In the event of a high number of responses to any advert, we may close the advert early.
We are recognised as a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3). Disability Confident employers offer an interview to disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We define the minimum criteria as the ‘essential skills’ which are listed on the vacancy notice. Whilst completing your application form, you will be able to indicate if you wish to be considered under the disability confident scheme. If you would prefer to discuss this directly with us, please contact the GBS Recruitment team on recruitment@sellafieldcloud.co.uk.
- Salary of £23,917 in Year 1, rising to £26,583 in Year 2.
- On top of your annual salary, you’ll have the opportunity to benefit from an annual bonus, linked to company performance, of up to £4,000.
- We aim to strike a good work/life balance by offering 30 days annual leave with statutory public holidays on top. There is also the ability to purchase an additional 2.5 days leave on top.
- If you’re relocating here from more than 30 miles away, we’ll support you with a relocation allowance of £1,400 and give you plenty of information on the best areas to live and how to find a place too.
- We also offer an attractive defined contribution pension scheme – the company will match up to 13.5% for a 7% employee contribution.
- At the end of your apprenticeship and subject to there being a suitable vacancy, you’ll have the opportunity to be considered for a full time position with us.
- Other benefits include paid sick leave scheme, cycle to work scheme, family friendly policies, welfare & employee assistance programme, employee savings & discounts, plus many others.
- Plan Before You Apply – When you click ‘Apply for Job’, review the application form carefully. Note the key questions and minimum response requirements. Draft your answers offline first to ensure they’re well thought out, rather than rushing through the form.
- Include Skills We’re Looking For – refer your responses back to the Engineering & Maintenance apprenticeship and the skills we’re looking for.
- Include All Qualifications – Make sure every qualification you’ve achieved is listed. Before submitting, double-check each section to confirm nothing is missing.
- Prepare Your Documents – If you’ve already achieved your qualifications, have digital copies ready to upload. This will save time and help you complete your application smoothly.
