V05148 - Advanced Apprentice Pipe Fabrication

Furness College; Barrow-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Barrow-in-Furness is offering an advanced apprenticeship in pipe fabrication. The role involves hands-on work experience and training over a duration of 3 years and 6 months, rolling out skills necessary for assembly and maintenance of piping systems. Candidates should have 5 GCSEs including Maths and English. This apprenticeship promises competitive salaries and opportunities for further education.

Benefits

Free higher education

Access to Company pension scheme

Employee benefits

Qualifications

• GCSEs must include Maths, English and Science at grade A*-C or equivalent.
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders.
• A proactive approach to compliance with health and safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Work on the assembly and maintenance of piping systems.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Complete training courses to gain professional knowledge in maritime pipework.

Skills

Assembly and fabrication of piping systems

Health and safety compliance

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

5 GCSEs including Maths, English & Science

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Fabrication equipment

Job description

V05148 - Advanced Apprentice Pipe Fabrication

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 Maritime pipeworker (level 3)

Hours: Shifts to be confirmed — 37 hours a week

Start Date: Monday 21 September 2026

Duration: 3 years 6 months

Number of Positions: 20

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

• A range of assembly, positioning, fabrication, maintenance and repair of piping systems
• Working in environments with systems that may carry water, steam, food, pharmaceutical, chemicals, gas, hydrocarbons or fuel, which may be used in cooling, heating and lubricating processes
• Working with a range of pipe materials, such as ferrous and non‑ferrous metals, plastics and composites
• Developing competency in methods such as jointing and other complex piping systems tasks
• Working independently and part of a wider team, ensuring compliance with health, safety and environmental processes and procedures

Where you’ll work

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

Training

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

• Obtain, read, analyse and interpret engineering data, drawings or documentation used in the design, build, operation and repair of maritime vessels such as job instructions, drawings, plans, quality control documentation.
• Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards.
• Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, time, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
• Use approved processes and procedures for maritime pipeworker activities.
• Carry out maritime pipework quality assurance checks.
• Resolve maritime pipework problems within the limits of their responsibility. Escalate un‑resolved issues and problems.
• Restore the work area on completion of the activity. Return any resources, tools and consumables.
• Measure and mark out maritime pipework components, pipework and pipework systems.
• Select and use hand tools, power tools and fabrication equipment such as forming machines and jigs to cut, shape and finish maritime pipework components.
• Apply fabrication methods and techniques to fabricate pipe systems in a maritime environment using techniques including pipe forming.
• Apply maritime pipework assembly methods and techniques including brazing, welding, mechanical fasteners, seals, gaskets and jointing.
• Apply testing, inspection and fault‑finding techniques used in the maritime pipework environment.
• Apply maintenance techniques on pipework components and systems.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
• Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Apply team working principles.
• Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
• Record and enter information – paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
• Apply environmental and sustainability procedures in compliance with regulations and standards for example, segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
• Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
• Install and remove pipe systems in a maritime environment.
• Apply repair techniques to repair pipe systems in a maritime environment.

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 inc 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 the Disability 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.

Contact

FURNES COLLEGE

Reference code: VAC1000350578.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 28 February 2026

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