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Operations Apprenticeship
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Operations Apprenticeship
Location: Berkshire (RG7 4PR)
Closing Date: Sunday 10 January 2027
Posted on: 12 October 2026
Summary
As an Operations Apprentice at AWE, you’ll start building a career in a unique environment where you can learn how different parts of the business work together, including Operations, Manufacturing, Science, and Engineering.
Wage: £16,750 a year
- A starting salary of £16,750 yearly, increasing to £24,500 in Year 2, with further annual salary increases throughout your apprenticeship, subject to satisfactory performance and achievement of apprenticeship milestones.
- Market-leading contributory pension scheme.
- Generous paid holiday entitlement of 270 hours per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays, plus every other Friday off as part of AWE’s flexible working pattern.
Training Course
Process industry manufacturing technician (level 3)
Hours: 9 Day fortnight. 33 Hours on the short week, 8 hours 15 minutes per day. 41 Hours on the long week, 8 hours 15 minutes per day Monday - Thursday and Fridays 8 hours. Please note hours may alter due to your offsite training establishment training times.
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
As an Operations Apprentice at AWE, you’ll start building a career in a unique environment where you can learn how different parts of the business work together, including Operations, Manufacturing, Science, and Engineering. You’ll help support the manufacturing and assembly work that contributes to the defence and security of the United Kingdom.
You’ll gain hands-on experience in production and process operations, working in a highly regulated environment where safety is always the priority. During your placements, you could get involved in a range of activities, such as:
- Spending time in different operational areas to understand the tasks people carry out, the processes they follow, and how work is completed to specific requirements
- Carrying out practical laboratory analysis, supporting administrative activities, and learning how teams monitor physical and environmental health
- Learning how experiments are carried out in our explosives operational areas, including the safety measures needed to do this work responsibly
- Understanding how daily tasks, weekly plans, and safe systems of work are organised so that activities across the site are completed safely and correctly
- Taking part in science-related work, such as pulsed power trials, where energy is built up over time and then released very quickly
This role can be physically demanding, so you’ll need to pass a medical assessment to check your general fitness and suitability to work with our unique materials. This includes having a BMI under 35, which is a legal requirement for wearing respiratory protection. Depending on your role, you may need to wear this protection while working.
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Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider: AWE PLC
Training course: Process industry manufacturing technician (level 3)
Course contents:
- Review instructions or information to understand the task.
- Plan tasks.
- Identify and organise resources with consideration for safety, environmental impact, quality, and cost.
- Identify hazards and risks in the workplace and personal safety and mitigation measures.
- Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow environment emergency procedures.
- Apply sustainability principles for example, minimising waste.
- Apply standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Check equipment.
- Select, check, and prepare raw materials for process.
- Set and adjust processing parameters.
- Monitor process.
- Conduct the control of product streams to maintain specifics.
- Apply quality assurance procedures.
- Apply intermediate or post-manufacturing procedure.
- Manage waste streams.
- Clean equipment.
- Conduct calculations.
- Store tools and equipment.
- Identify equipment for handover.
- Apply signage and access restriction measures.
- Shut down the process and equipment.
- Isolate process and systems.
- Complete isolation checks.
- Empty equipment.
- Purge, fill, pressurise and leak test.
- Complete post maintenance equipment checks.
- Line-up equipment.
- Connect service connections.
- De-isolate process, mechanical and electrical systems.
- Complete pre-start up checks.
- Start-up plant and equipment.
- Re-start process.
- Record or enter information.
- Interpret data.
- Interpret drawings and graphs.
- Identify issues.
- Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
- Apply problem solving and fault-finding techniques.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques.
- Make a suggestion for improvement.
- Use information and digital technology.
- Comply with cyber security requirements.
- Produce written documents.
- Communicate with others verbally.
- Apply team working principles.
- Plan how to meet personal development needs.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development (CPD) activities.
Requirements
Essential qualifications:
- GCSE in: 5 GCSEs inc English and Maths (grade 4/C or above)
Skills:
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Health and Safety
- Time Management
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Other requirements:
- Start Date: 1st September 2027.
- Annual leave will not be granted from 1st September until 1st October due to mandatory inductions you are required to complete as part of your apprenticeship.
- Any leave approved after this point will depend on the training provider requirements for your apprenticeship and must be agreed in advance.
- All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas.
- Due to the security requirements associated with this apprenticeship, applicants must be British Nationals and be aged 18 or over by 31 August 2027.
About this employer
We’re a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of our NATO allies.
Our work is critical. We’re delivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology.
But that’s just part of the story. We support the UK government in a range of vital areas – from counterterrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world-class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security.
At AWE, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll find purpose, growth, and a community like no other. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of something truly unique.
Be extraordinary at AWE.
Company benefits:
- Access to employee discounts portal - everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay.
When you complete your apprenticeship, you’re likely to move into one of our operational business units. You may also be able to apply for roles in other areas of AWE, such as logistics, science, or engineering.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is: AWE PLC Early Careers earlycareers@awe.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000057910.
Apply now
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.
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