V05133 - Advanced Apprentice Drilling

Furness College; Barrow-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is offering an Engineering Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship in Barrow-in-Furness. This apprenticeship includes extensive hands-on training in various engineering tasks and the opportunity to work on state-of-the-art submarines. Candidates should have 5 GCSEs including Maths, English, and Science. The apprenticeship lasts for 3.5 years and provides a pathway to a rewarding career in engineering within a global business.

Benefits

Free higher education

Company pension scheme

Employee share plans

Discounted health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• GCSE required in specified subjects.
• Relevant qualifications and industry experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform workshop tasks using drilling equipment.
• Receive specialist training for nuclear reactor work.
• Learn various engineering processes and tolerances.

Skills

Drilling techniques

Machine engineering

Burning processes

Education

5 GCSEs in Maths, English & Science or Technical (grade A*-C or 9-4)

Job description

Our Submarines business has been safely delivering world class submarines to the UK Royal Navy for more than a century. The Astute class will equip the Royal Navy with its largest and most capable generation of attack submarines. We are responsible for the design, build, test and commissioning of these state‑of‑the‑art vessels.

We offer a competitive salary with annual increases throughout the apprenticeship and a range of employee benefits including free higher education as well as access to the company pension and share‑saving scheme.

Training course Engineering operative (level 2)

Hours Shifts to be confirmed 37 hours a week.

Monday 14 September 2026

Duration 3 years 6 months.

Work Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands‑on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Workshop tasks drilling holes using various types of drilling equipment, ranging from small, compressed air pistol drills to large scale industrial drills.
• Large scale specialist boring of bars and machinery, up to sizes of 140mm.
• Specialist training provided to allow you to work on a nuclear reactor bulkhead, using state‑of‑the‑art equipment, designed for this work.
• Trained in machine engineering facing, working to high tolerances to produce near perfect flat surfaces, stud welding and hole tapping up to 56mm.
• You will learn burning processes, which involves cutting holes into submarine steelwork using specialist Trammel burning equipment.

Where you'll work

BAE Systems
1st Floor, Main Shipyard Offices
Barrow‑in‑Furness
Cumbria
LA14 1AF

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

• Engineering Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard.
• An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation.
• At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

Requirements

GCSE in:

5 GCSEs in Maths, English & Science or Technical (grade A*-C or 9‑4 or equivalent).

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Other requirements

Please be aware of qualification entry criteria when applying for this role. This is clearly displayed on the advert under the section qualification requirements. To be eligible for the role you must meet these entry requirements.

About this employer

At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology‑led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of more than 93,000 people in around 40 countries. Working with customers and local partners, we develop, engineer, manufacture, and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.

Company benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing & lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long‑term health condition. This includes non‑visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

• Approximately 95% of apprentices choose to stay on with us. As a global business there are a world of opportunities – whether you decide to stay in the UK, or explore an overseas role.

The contact for this apprenticeship is: FURNESS COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000350522.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 28 February 2026.

Sign in with your GOV.UK One Login to apply.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.