Bentley

Apprenticeship Standard: Level 6

Duration: 5.5 Years

Start Date: September 2026

Starting Salary: £24,929

Location: Pyms Lane, Crewe, CW1 3PL, mainly onsite with some flexible hybrid working and occasional need to travel abroad for test events (for a period of up to 2weeks).

Training Provider Entry Requirements: See ‘What we’re looking for’ section

Apprenticeship Programme:

As one of our Bentley apprentices, you will combine practical experience with classroom learning to achieve an Electro-Mechanical Engineering degree (Level 6). You will play a significant part in our business as we continue on this exciting journey to deliver extraordinary vehicles for our customers. Based out of our state-of-the-art headquarters in Crewe, you will:

• Work with experts who will support your professional and personal development
• Be welcomed into our Early Careers Network
• Spend 20% of your time learning with an external training provider and 80% of your time gaining hands on experience
• Opportunity to have placements and further rotations around the business
• Have the opportunity to take part in community-focussed initiatives, Social Committees and Bentley’s Inclusivity Networks

About the role:

Working within the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning team (HVAC), part of the wider R&D Body & Trim Team, you will have regular hands on exposure to the best luxury cars in the world. The HVAC / interior climate system includes an array of innovative functions, sensors and filters that contribute not only to customer comfort but improving air quality within the cabin environment. You will gain invaluable experience collaborating with different business areas, whilst leading the development of the Interior Climate system, ensuring delivery of the comfort levels our customers come to expect from our world renowned brand.

Your key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Working in collaboration with the engineers to plan, test and calibrate our vehicles to achieve required performance. Such things include tuning vent air flow and temperatures in a variety of conditions to ensure customer comfort whilst driving.
• Develop skills such as the ability to use computer systems such as diagnostic and calibration software to help diagnose electrical issues, tune performance and create data sets for Electrical Control Unit update, to develop and refine the system performance.
• Understanding and the development of a range of features that contribute to interior climate comfort and air quality such as air quality sensors, particle matter filters / sensors and auto re-circulation to name but a few.
• Structure and integrate all the required physical components and hardware into our respective systems
• You will work individually, compiling data-sets, testing & measuring and also collaborate across many different departments within Bentley to ensure that our interior climate functions fully integrate into the entire vehicle electrical architecture.
• Involvement in the many different processes that ensure vehicle occupant safety, such as functional safety and cyber security, will also be a key part of the role.
• Collaborate with other areas of the business, participating in cross-functional problem solving particularly with our Electrical colleagues. It’s the aspiration that the successful candidate would develop their electrical software understanding from our electrical integrators, combined with Degree learning, to bolster the HVAC/Interior Climate teams skill set to facilitate software development and release.
• The opportunity to travel globally. Common test sites include Spain, Finland, Sweden, Arizona and UK.

About the Department:

The HVAC team own and are responsible for delivering interior climate comfort and the multitude of functions that add to the overall comfort and air quality of the interior cabin for all Bentley models and projects. This team sits under the Cockpit team which is responsible for delivering arguably the best Instrument Panels and Consoles in the world.

What we’re looking for:

Training Provider Entry Requirements- University of Warwick Requirements:

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths at grade 4/C or above.
• A Level: AAA grades at A level, to include Mathematics and a Physical Science. Applicants with strong profile, but without A level Mathematics will be subject to passing a Maths assessment
• BTEC: BTEC Diploma grade D*D*, with an A grade A level Mathematics, or subject to passing a Maths assessment.
• BTEC Extended Diploma grade DDD, including two Mathematics units or subject to passing a Maths assessment
• T Levels: At the moment we don’t accept T levels (this is subject to constant review by the University).

For more information on the Training Provider please click here

Skills Requirements:

The successful Candidate will:

• Demonstratable interest in automotive technology, electrical architecture and functionality desired
• Good communication skills with an ability to build strong working relationships.
• Problem solving skills and logical thinking
• Presentation skills
• Demonstrate the ability to work within a small team, with the ability to work autonomously

What we offer

As an Apprentice you will have access to the following benefits:

• A salary of £24,929
• Flexible working hours
• Hybrid working options
• Optional car lease scheme with access to VW group cars (VW, Seat, Skoda, Audi)
• Support from our Early Careers team and 121 manager mentorship
• 35 days’ holiday inclusive of bank holidays
• 10% pension contribution with life assurance benefits

Right To Work:

To be eligible for an Early Careers programme you must have a legal right to work in the UK for the duration of the apprenticeship scheme. We welcome students who have Settled Status. We are unable to offer sponsorship for our Early Careers positions.

#BelongingAtBentley

Motivated to be the most diverse, inclusive luxury car company, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals are respected, valued, and empowered.

We firmly believe in equal opportunities for all, helping all colleagues thrive as their authentic selves and reach their highest potential. We believe that everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs, belongs at Bentley. Everyone is entitled to respect and dignity and we positively celebrate the differences between people.

Working at Bentley

To learn more about what life is like working at Bentley, and our assessment process view our Candidate Pack here.

Applications are open to everyone, from school or college leavers to those looking for a change of career, subject to entry requirements above. Please note if you are applying based off predicted grades, your offer will be conditional to obtaining the Training Provider entry requirements.

Closing date: 20th February

Useful Links:

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For more information on the Apprenticeship Standard please click here

To find out more about life at Bentley view our Apprenticeship candidate pack here

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