Plymouth, South West England, PL2 2BG
Are you passionate about a career in Engineering? Do you want to be part of Defence and contribute to supporting the Fleet worldwide? Then apply for an apprenticeship within Naval Base Commander (Devonport`s) organisation, known as NBC(D).
NBC(D`s) organisation is looking for enthusiastic, talented and motivated personnel to join our Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship and become our engineering professionals of the future supporting operational capability and wider defence.
NBC(D`S) organisation offers a 42 month Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship, giving you a unique blend of hands-on experience and academic learning, setting you on the path to an exciting career in Defence.
Over the course of the three-year apprenticeship, apprentices will attend college on a combination of block/day release and carry out engineering focused work placements within His Majesty`s Naval Base Devonport within NBC(D`s) organisation as well as the potential to work with a range of Industry Partners. You will also receive dedicated support as you work towards a Level 3 Engineering & Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship (ST1395) qualification. A link to the standard can be accessed here: Engineering and manufacturing support technician / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
N.B. Whilst some work placements may provide “hands on” engineering experience on successful completion of the apprenticeship, your role will primarily be office based.
The start date of the apprenticeship is expected to be early September 2025.
HM Naval Base is one of the largest bases of its kind in western Europe and is a key Defence asset, acting as an operating and support base for the Royal Navy's ships and submarines, and elements of the Royal Marines. Working here offers opportunities which are varied, challenging and exciting; enabling and supporting the Royal Navy to generate and operate forces worldwide today and ensuring that we are ready for tomorrow by developing and delivering UK maritime capability for the future.
We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating a great place to work that reflects the diversity of the society we serve. By bringing together different ideas, experiences, and perspectives, we can achieve our ambitions, together.
You must have the right of abode in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
Phase 1: You will undergo initial Induction Training into the Civil Service before starting and attending college on a full-time basis developing your underpinning knowledge of engineering as well as carrying out a range of practical workshop tasks. During college half term periods you will have familiarisation visits in the Naval Base to develop your understanding of NBC(D`s) business in preparation for Phases 2 and 3.
Phases 2 and 3: Typically, you will undertake four six-month work placements that will give you the opportunity to develop skills and experience while you play an active role in helping the business meet operational requirements and workplace objectives. Placements are flexible and will cover different areas within NBC(D`s) organisation and potentially the wider naval base to give you a broad experience of the organisation and the wider Defence organisations and Industry Partners we work with. Work placements will support your technical tasks associated with your apprenticeship as well as supporting your colleagues in their specialist area in achieving NBC(D`s) business objectives. The expectation is that you will be working on site the majority of your working week.
During phases 2 and 3 you will also be required to attend college one day per week (day to be confirmed) in support of your Level 3 Engineering & Manufacturing Support Technician qualification.
Your contracted hours will be 37 per week, although some additional study will be required in your own time to complete the academic part of the apprenticeship.
Once you’ve successfully completed the apprenticeship, and end point assessment you will be invited to sit a suitability interview and may be offered an Executive Officer Development Post opportunity within NBC(D`s) organisation.
To support your development, you’ll also be provided with Mentoring and Buddying opportunities, outreach activities, engagement with senior management, equipment familiarisation visits and networking opportunities.
The apprenticeship requires you to have GCSE English Language, Maths, and a Science (Level 4+/Grade C+ or equivalent)
N.B. If you are applying with predicted grades, please tick to say you meet the GCSE/academic requirements or else your application will be rejected.
Candidates with predictive grades will need to have confirmation of successful results by the end of August 2025 to be able to commence the apprenticeship early September 2025.
Please see the guide for acceptable equivalents – What qualification levels mean: England, Wales and Northern Ireland - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-level) and (https://scqf.org.uk/media/e5pjypw4/qccb-web-oct-2019.pdf) for Scotland.
Evidence of the above qualifications will be required as part of your pre-employment checks before a formal offer can be made.
GCSE English Language, Maths, and a Science (Level 4+/Grade C+ or equivalent)
N.B. If you are applying with predicted grades, please tick to say you meet the GCSE/academic requirements or else your application will be rejected.
Candidates with predictive grades will need to have confirmation of successful results by the end of August 2025 to be able to commence the apprenticeship early September 2025.
Please see the guide for acceptable equivalents – What qualification levels mean: England, Wales and Northern Ireland - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-level) and (https://scqf.org.uk/media/e5pjypw4/qccb-web-oct-2019.pdf) for Scotland.
Evidence of the above qualifications will be required as part of your pre-employment checks before a formal offer can be made.
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
Alongside your salary of £26,235, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,600 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
This post does not offer relocation expenses
Discover My Benefits
Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD.
https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
Hybrid Working
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estates capacity. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). DBS cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
Applicants should monitor their Civil Service Jobs application centre regularly for updates.
Some of MoD’s Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) changed from 3 February 2014. Those TACOS changes applied to Broader Banded and Skill Zone staff who were new recruits to MoD or who were appointed to a post on substantive promotion, progression or advancement. On the same basis, the TACOS for Departmental Retained Grades changed with effect from 01 September 2014.
All employees joining MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 6-month probation period (unless otherwise advised) effective from the employment start date.
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Please be aware that the selection and interviewing of applicants is the responsibility of the Recruiting Line Manager (RLM) and not the Defence Business Services (DBS) Resourcing team. DBS do not play any part in the selection and interview process.
Therefore, if you wish to discuss your feedback, or you are dissatisfied with your markings, you should in the first instance raise this with the Recruiting Line Manager of the vacancy.
If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint. by writing to DBS at the following address:
Complaints Management Team, Defence Business Services, Oak Building Mail Point #6109, MOD Abbey Wood North, Bristol, BS34 8QW
If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address:
Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ
Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant whose details are found to be held on the IFD will be refused employment
Please see the link below for the civil service recruitment principles.
https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-principles/
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https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/departments/working-for-the-ministry-of-defence/
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