Engineering Technician Apprenticeship

            Header

Programme title: Engineering Technician ApprenticeshipLevel: 3 Salary: £14,134 - £22,857 Location: RAF Valley, Holyhead, WalesApplication closing date: 31st March 2026 Programme start date: September 2026 Role ID: 71888   Our three‑year Engineering Technician Apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to develop specialist trade skills while supporting RAF operations at RAF Valley. You’ll learn machining, fabrication and welding techniques, gain recognised qualifications and play a key role in maintaining vital aircraft and ground support equipment.    Your Role About the programme  As part of Programme HADES, Babcock supports the Royal Air Force across 12 military bases, ensuring vital aircraft and equipment remain ready for operations. As an apprentice, you’ll contribute directly to this work by helping to manufacture, repair and maintain a wide range of aircraft components and ground support equipment at RAF Valley. Throughout the programme, you’ll learn how to use CNC machines for milling and turning to produce or modify parts to precise standards. You’ll also develop your abilities in fabricating mechanical and structural components for fast jets, using specialist tools, jigs and fixtures, as well as manual forming techniques. Your training will also introduce you to a variety of welding tasks to aeronautical standards, working with materials such as aluminium, titanium and steel. This includes undertaking TIG welding on aircraft components and MIG or MMA welding on Airfield Support Equipment and Military Transport equipment. You’ll be joining a supportive team, bringing a careful and accurate approach to your work and the motivation to learn new skills. It’s a practical, varied and rewarding role where you’ll gain specialist skills and make a genuine contribution to the RAF’s day‑to‑day capability.Description Your education/training  As an apprentice, you’ll develop your skills across three key workshop areas at RAF Valley: the Welding Bay, the Machine Shop and the Metal Fabrication Bay. You’ll also attend college one day a week at either Llangefni or Rhyl, where your technical training will combine classroom learning with practical workshop sessions to support your development. As part of your studies, you’ll work towards achieving NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in General Engineering and Workshop Fabrication, Machining and Welding. Throughout the programme, your progress will be assessed through a portfolio of evidence, work‑based observations and a range of theory tasks and written tests.   Future prospects Upon successful completion of the programme, you will move into a substantive position as a qualified Engineering Technician, with an expected salary of around £26,000.   You may also have the opportunity to pursue higher-level qualifications to further your career within Babcock across a variety of roles and functions.Footer What you’ll need    

A minimum of 3 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above, including English, Maths and a Science or Technology based subject, and an NVQ 1 in General Engineering. 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 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

  What you’ll get    We will provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career. In addition, you’ll benefit from:  

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

  You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding. Your career development  It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will help you navigate where you want to take your career. Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.   Application process and closing dates   Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the programme may close early if we receive a high volume of interest. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we strongly recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.