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Advanced/Higher Engineering Apprenticeship - STFC

Employer
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Location
Warrington, Cheshire
Salary
11,446
Closing date
11 Apr 2021

View more

Specialism
Engineering
Sector
Engineering & Aerospace
Role Type
Apprenticeship, Advanced
Start Date
Ongoing
Duration
24 months+

STFC has a broad science portfolio and works with the academic and industrial communities to share its expertise. Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire has been at the forefront of pioneering international scientific research for over fifty years. 300 staff continue to push the boundaries of modern science in fields such as accelerator science, biomedicine, physics, chemistry, materials, engineering and high performance computing.
Whether you’re about to leave school/college, changing career, or are seeking a challenging alternative to university, this could be just the start you’re looking for – an Engineering Apprenticeship in Electrical, Electronic or Mechanical Engineering at the STFC Daresbury Laboratory. Our Engineering apprenticeships are approved by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and provide an excellent opportunity to begin your Engineering career. STFC has over 20 years’ experience in providing engineering apprenticeships and provides an excellent training ground to equip individuals with the relevant skills and experience for their chosen career in either mechanical, electrical or electronic engineering. 

We offer a competitive salary that increases annually, 4-6 years supervised training, additional core skills development and the opportunity to undertake overseas placements. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Your first year will be spent at the North West Training Council (NWTC) in Liverpool, where you develop a wide range of generalised engineering skills including: machining and hand-fitting techniques; electrical and electronic wiring, testing and maintenance; mechanical assembly; maintenance and turning; milling and welding.

From year 2 onwards, you will be based at Daresbury Laboratory (DL) where you will continue your apprenticeship gaining more specialised skills. The learning will be provided through several departments providing extensive experience in broadening your knowledge and providing exposure to the full spectrum of working in a sophisticated cutting-edge facility. You will be working alongside and guided by experienced technicians and engineers, with skills and knowledge being built up through direct involvement in exciting scientific projects. Throughout your apprenticeship you will be expected to support collaborations from all over the world as they continue to push back the barriers of science.

As an Engineering apprentice, you will undertake learning and development to become an accomplished Technician in one of three areas:

Electronic Engineering Apprentices will have the opportunity to learn about innovative state of the art high speed electronics, from single integrated circuits to huge data acquisition systems. When fully assembled these systems are used in scientific research all over the world.

Electrical Engineering Apprentices will be installing cabling, including single and 3-phase mains, large, high voltage conductor cables, 24V controls and soldering delicate components under a microscope. You will also learn about electrical containment, including trunking and conduit for a range of installation including motors, control and network circuits, as well as electrical testing, fault finding and maintenance required for the incredible scientific equipment used across the site. Opportunities are available across the site to be involved in the electrical design process using CAD software; as well as learning about Automation and Controls, producing PLC/HMI software and commissioning these systems for various applications.


Mechanical Engineering Apprentices use novel and technology-enabled processes to contribute to the manufacture of mechanical parts and assemblies. This supports a broad range of engineering requirements on both large and small precise sizes using Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) and conventional machining techniques. You will also support work in vacuum, gasses, cryogenics and mechanical design. 

Contacts and Communication

As an STFC Apprentice you will communicate with staff across STFC at all levels.  You will work as part of a team as well as working on your own. You will also have contact throughout your apprenticeship with college and/or university tutors and visitors to the site.

Personal Skills and Attributes

We are looking for individuals who have or will have achieved a minimum x 5 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above including Maths, English and a Science subject by September 2021. For Level 4/6 apprenticeships, you must also hold qualifications at Level 3, such as x 3 A Levels at Grade A – C or a BTEC Advanced Diploma. 

You must be self-motivated, enthusiastic about learning, hardworking and demonstrate an interest in engineering.

When submitting your CV and covering letter you should address yourself to this person specification, demonstrating by example how you meet the criteria contained within. Please also include any other information, which you feel is of relevance to your application.

Please state in your covering letter if you wish to be considered for more than one engineering discipline.  

Key Requirements

Essential: 

  • Achieved or predicted to achieve 5 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above including Maths, English and a Science by September 2021 (or equivalent qualifications) 
  • A strong and demonstrable interest in science, engineering and technology 
  • Ability to demonstrate some basic technical engineering knowledge and skill 
  • Ability to work using own initiative
  • Ability to follow instructions including technical instructions in English 
  • Self-motivated, willing to undertake the work required with the training provider and in the workplace
  • Able to work independently and as part of a team 
  • Good communication skills
  • Good problem solving skills

Desirable:

  • Good knowledge of Microsoft Office

Reasons our apprentices enjoy working for us: 

  • Our apprentices have access to an Apprentice Association, where you will be part of a network of diverse apprentices working across Daresbury Laboratory in a variety of role and occupational areas
  • Annual Apprenticeship Awards Evening; Outwards Bounds week for all new apprentice starters, and additional development in core skills including Insights profile building
  • Personal development is important to us. You will work with your line manager to develop your own Learning and Development plan each year 
  • 30 days’ annual leave plus 10.5 public and privilege days
  • Defined benefit pension scheme (employer contribution – currently up to 26%)
  • We’re based on a lively and dynamic campus bringing together SMEs and leading industry-academic collaborations located in a picturesque semi-rural location with easy access to canal-side and woodland walking
  • We are less than two miles from the M56 motorway with public transport links and access to Warrington and Runcorn national rail stations. Advice on all aspects of travel to site including car sharing is available at: https://www.sci-techdaresbury.com/the-campus/travel-hub/
  • Diversity and inclusion are important to us. We have a corporate policy on Equality and Diversity which is supported by a Diversity Forum and implementation group. 

For more information on the rest of our employee benefits, take a look at: http://www.stfccareers.co.uk/why-join/rewards-and-benefits/ 

  • There are a number of active sport and social groups across campus with access to an on-site gym for staff
  • We value collaborative working across STFC and with our external collaborators 

About STFC 

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world. 

One of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale. 

 

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