MOD Abbeywood, Bristol
The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put out values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.
Successful applicants will undertake a comprehensive program of study associated with the Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer standard ST0289: Nuclear scientist and nuclear engineer (integrated degree) / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. This is a four-year apprenticeship starting in September 2025.
During the four-year scheme, your Permanent Duty Station will be MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol, however, year one of the scheme will be full time in college. Following a successful Gateway Interview, at the end of Year One, you will proceed to the next phase of your apprenticeship. During Years Two to Four you will have the opportunity to carry out a number of work-based technical placements and defence specific nuclear training at any of these locations: Barrow-in-Furness, Bristol, Helensburgh, Plymouth, Rosyth.
Whilst in placements, you will continue with your foundation degree with block release attendance at college.
On successful completion of Year Three and following a further successful Gateway Interview, you will be offered a permanent contract, and will progress onto the final stage of the apprenticeship to complete your full degree, whilst continuing to undertake work-based technical placements across defence.
On successful completion of the scheme and End Point Assessment at the end of Year Four you will be appointed to a role within the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, and you may be given the opportunity to permanently relocate to one of our waterfront locations listed above.
During the first year of your apprenticeship you will be required to attend full time collage, during some of the college holidays you will be required to attend activities at MOD establishments you will be required to take fixed holiday time of two weeks at Christmas and a week of Easter. In subsequent years outside of college term times there could be opportunity for hybrid and flexible working but you will need regular workplace attendance due to security constraints and business requirements. This can be discussed with you trainee scheme manager at the appropriate time.
Due to the secure nature of these positions, posts will be reserved for UK Nationals only and may require you to obtain Developed Vetting clearance once in post. You must have the right of abode in the UK and have been ordinarily a 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. Further information on Nationality Requirements is available.
Your Responsibilities:
Throughout your scheme, you will be supported by your Apprentice Manager, as well as a Placement Supervisor to reach your full potential and become a real asset to the SDA Engineering Function and beyond.
You will participate in various professional and personal development opportunities and workshops as well as a peer mentoring scheme, with plenty of opportunities to participate in structured training and to gather experience and knowledge through several work-based placements, to learn and then apply nuclear engineering/scientific concepts and principles in a defence environment.
During the first year of your apprenticeship you will be required to attend full time college , during some of the college holidays you will be required to attend activities at MOD establishments you will be required to take fixed holiday time of two weeks at Christmas and a week of Easter. In subsequent years outside of college term times there could be the opportunity for hybrid and flexible working but you will need regular workplace attendance due to security constraints and business requirements. This can be discussed with your trainee scheme manager at the appropriate time.
1) 5 GCSEs at grade C to A* or Grades 4 – 9 including English Language, Mathematics, and a Science / Engineering subject plus two additional subjects.
In addition you will need to hold one of the following options or have Predicted grades that you will achieve before September 2025:
2) 3 A Levels which must include Mathematics, Science and one other subject. Grades expected are C-A* or grades 4-9.
Or
3) A National Diploma in engineering with a minimum value of 96 UCAS Points
Or
4) Equivalent in a STEM based subjects could be considered as meeting the mandated application criteria, including a BTEC L3 advanced diploma, HNC,HND in STEM based subjects.
Non-Requirement but can be accepted instead of 2, 3 or 4.
5) Higher qualifications such as Foundation Degree or Degree (in a STEM based subjects
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.
UCAS Tariff calculator: https://www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Candidates are asked to distinguish between an English Language or English Literature qualification awarded.
Applicants with predicted grades should check that when asked if they have the mandatory grades they tick YES, otherwise their application will automatically be rejected.
Formal certificates must be provided within three months of signing the contract. Failure to provide this will result in your contract being withdrawn.
Evidence of the above qualifications will be required as part of your pre-employment checks before a formal offer can be made.
If successful you will be asked to provide evidence that you meet the stated qualification criteria
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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 £25,970, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,523 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Take a look at our SDA Benefits Wheel (see below), to find out more about what we have to offer and our SDA Employee Value Proposition for an insight into why the SDA should be your next career choice, click here
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/
To find out a bit more about what it’s like working for MOD, visit the Civil Service Careers Website
https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/departments/working-for-the-ministry-of-defence/
Please see the MOD Privacy Notice link below which describes how we will use your personal data, explains your rights and gives you information you are entitled to under Data Protection legislation.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-privacy-notice/mod-privacy-notice
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