Our 4-year engineering trades apprenticeships offer the chance to develop specialist engineering trade skills while gaining hands-on experience working on the Royal Navy’s fleet. Whether you’re helping to build new vessels or maintaining those already in service, you’ll be part of a team that plays a vital role in supporting naval operations.
If you’re looking for a career that combines technical training, practical experience, and the chance to be part of something bigger, an engineering trades apprenticeship could be the perfect opportunity. Programmes are available across several key locations, including HM Naval Base Clyde in Faslane, Rosyth in Fife, Devonport in Plymouth, and Bristol.
Each site offers a unique experience, but all share the same goal: to help you build a future as a skilled engineering technician. Explore the different trade routes available and take your first step toward a rewarding and impactful career.
You’ll work with different metals to build ship parts like the hull, deck, and seats. You’ll also learn how to put together steel components, like doors, extra seats, ladders, hatches, and platforms. Additionally, you’ll pick up welding skills, using different methods, and become skilled in using cutting equipment, power tools, and metalworking machines.
Opportunities in fabrication are available at HM Naval Base Clyde in Faslane, Rosyth in Fife, and Devonport in Plymouth.
Meet Kate, one of our fabrication apprentices and learn about her experience at Babcock.
You’ll be trained to use a variety of hand and machine tools whilst learning how to build new equipment, assist with installations, or identify faults and return equipment to working condition. You could be involved in the installation, commissioning, maintenance and repair of a wide range of equipment including engines, pumps, valves and hydraulic equipment.
Opportunities in mechanical fitting are available at HM Naval Base Clyde in Faslane, Rosyth in Fife, Devonport in Plymouth, and Bristol.
Meet Jack, one of our Mechanical Fitter apprentices and learn about his experience at Babcock.
You’ll learn how to interpret electrical engineering drawings and specifications to strip, test and maintain a variety of electrical equipment and machinery. You’ll gain knowledge and understanding of the practical skills you’ll need to install, connect and assist in the commission of complex electrical circuits on ships and/or submarines. You may also support the daily running of the site by helping maintain a vast network of high and low voltage equipment, advanced robotic panel lines, and CNC machinery.
Opportunities in electrical fitting are available at HM Naval Base Clyde in Faslane, Rosyth in Fife, and Devonport in Plymouth.
Meet Becca, one of our Electrical Fitter apprentices and learn about her experience at Babcock.
Using a range of materials, from plastic to high-quality stainless steel, you’ll be involved in the manufacture and installation of low and high-pressure pipe systems such as water, air, hydraulics, steam and fuel. You’ll learn a range of skills including how to interpret engineering drawings, how to fabricate pipes and pipe brazing. You can expect a varied workload working on ships and submarines, as well as working in the workshop and servicing systems in dockyard.
Opportunities in pipefitting are available at Rosyth in Fife and Devonport in Plymouth
Meet Lewis and Cameron, two of our Pipefitter apprentices, and learn about their experiences at Babcock.
Read Lewis’s story Read Cameron’s story
You’ll learn how to make precision components from start to finish, using CNC Turning and Milling Machines. You’ll create both basic and complex components based on engineering drawings, and also work with CAD/CAM software and 3D models to produce complex parts.
Opportunities in pipefitting are available at Rosyth in Fife, Devonport in Plymouth, and Bristol.
You’ll be trained in various welding processes and techniques while developing a comprehensive understanding of welding, including the operation of specialist welding tools and equipment. Your work will range from factory-based manufacturing to major structural welding on Royal Navy vessels. With such varied tasks, no two days will be the same, and you’ll play a vital role in supporting the Royal Navy’s operations.
Opportunities in welding are available at Rosyth (Fife, Scotland), and Devonport (Plymouth, England).
There are also opportunities to join our Welding Apprentice Programme at our new Apprenticeship Welding School at Ashton House in Bristol, which fuses traditional welding training with cutting-edge augmented reality technology.
Meet Isaac, one of our Welder apprentices and hear about his experiences at Babcock.
Upon successfully completing the programme, you’ll become a qualified Engineering Technician, specialising in your chosen field, earning a competitive salary of c.£35,000.
You may also have the opportunity to pursue further qualifications and progress into advanced roles across a wide range of functions within the business, supporting your continued professional development and long-term career growth.
From there, your development doesn’t stop. Through the Babcock Role Framework, you’ll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with mapped-out pathways, development opportunities and the tools you need to get wherever you want to go.
See below to find out more about the areas of our business that are offering engineering trades apprenticeships.
As the Ministry of Defence’s commercial partner at HMNB Clyde, situated at Faslane on the Gare Loch, Babcock provides highly specialist engineering support services, including the management of critical infrastructure and nuclear facilities.
We also deliver operational maintenance, upgrades and repairs to support Royal Navy vessels, including the Vanguard and Astute-Class nuclear submarines based in Scotland.
Working at HM Naval Base Clyde, you’ll contribute to the maintenance, upgrades and repairs of ships, submarines and infrastructure.
You’ll work on a variety of projects including the Vanguard and Astute-Class nuclear submarines. You’ll also provide support to facilities management, helping keep the naval base running safely and efficiently.
Our 320-acre Rosyth facility in the county of Fife is just 11 miles northwest of Edinburgh and is home to one of the largest waterside manufacturing and repair facilities in the UK.
Working at Babcock Rosyth, you’ll contribute to the build, maintenance, and refit of UK Royal Navy and international naval vessels, including the Type 31 Frigate Programme and UK Submarine Dismantling Programme.
Babcock International’s Devonport Royal Dockyard facility in Plymouth is co-located with HM Naval Base Devonport to form the largest naval support site in Western Europe.
Working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence at Devonport, Babcock provides through-life support for submarines, surface ships and associated systems and equipment as part of our continuing commitment to support our nation’s naval capability.
Working at Devonport Royal Dockyard, you’ll contribute to the design, manufacture, installation, operation or maintenance of systems on ships, submarines and infrastructure.
Ashton House in Bristol serves as our central site for advanced manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and overhaul programmes.
Working at Ashton House in Bristol you’ll develop the technical skills, problem-solving ability and confidence to play your part in delivering high-precision equipment that supports the Royal Navy and international defence partners.
We’re offering a Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship in Devonport – an ideal starting point for anyone keen to gain hands-on experience and build practical skills while helping maintain the Royal Navy’s fleet of ships and submarines.
As an apprentice, you’ll work alongside our experienced Engineering Fitters, learning essential engineering skills such as hand fitting, health and safety, and general maintenance. You’ll also develop core skills in one of three specialist trade routes: Electrical, Mechanical or Fabrication.
This is an entry-level role designed to help you grow. While GCSEs at grade D/3 in Maths and English are beneficial, they’re not essential. What matters most is that you bring excellent communication skills, a can-do attitude, and the ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
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