Control and Instrumentation Apprenticeship: Maintenance (Level 3) AWE

Control and Instrumentation Apprenticeship: Maintenance (Level 3 Advanced)

Control and Instrumentation (C&I) is one of only two 'critical trades' at AWE. That's because C&I is vital to the successful delivery of our programme of work. Put simply, C&I engineers enable a wide range of different automated processes to run.

C&I engineers create, simplify and automate processes. We deal with systems that measure and control all kinds of things - from the flow of water, to the temperature of a furnace. Our goal is to make sure complex processes can take place at the simple press of a button. In C&I, we maintain, install and develop equipment used to control a variety of processes within AWE's production environment. That means everything from air handling units which keep clean air flowing safely through different working environments, through to programmable logic controllers which use advanced IT to control a variety of systems.

It all begins in our Skills Academy. You'll attend a range of lectures designed to increase your knowledge and understanding of a wide range of circuits and systems. Importantly, you will also 

learn and develop vital control and instrumentation skills by completing various projects. Once your training at the Academy is complete, you'll move to the highly practical, on-site phase of training. Taking part in a variety of different placements, you will use your new skills to maintain, repair, install and calibrate equipment that is used across AWE. You will spend the whole second half of your apprenticeship on placements.

C&I Maintenance may appeal to you if you enjoy:

• Understanding how to control engineering systems and equipment
• Understanding how Building Management Systems work
• Understanding how safety systems work
• Being hands on
• Applying engineering principles into real life scenarios

About you

You'll need to demonstrate:

• 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 passion and motivation for this profession 
• Preferably GCSE in Maths and English at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent)

Age: Applicants must be aged 16 or over, as of 1st of September 2023, due to security clearance requirements  

If you currently hold a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering or similar, you should consider applying for a Degree level apprenticeship.

Duration of training: 3 - 4 years (varies depending on personal performance)

Location:

You will be based at Aldermaston (close to Reading)

What we offer:

• We offer our apprentices a starting salary of £11,000. This increases annually with second year salary being £18,300
• A market leading contributory pension scheme
• Generous holiday entitlement and excellent work/life balance including a 9-day working fortnight. This means that every other Friday you won’t be required to work!

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.

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 – if applicable.  

We recruit on a rolling basis which means as soon as our positions have been filled, we close our applications.  

Successful candidates must be available to start on the Apprenticeship Programme in September 2023.