V05149 - Intermediate Apprentice Caulking / Burning

Furness College; Barrow-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Barrow-in-Furness is offering an Engineering Operative apprenticeship. The role involves hands-on metal preparation and welding operations. Applicants must possess GCSEs in Maths and English. This apprenticeship provides valuable work experience with opportunities for further development and training. Competitive salary and employee benefits provided.

Benefits

Free higher education

Access to company pension

Employee share saving scheme

Flexible health and lifestyle benefits

Qualifications

• Must have GCSE in Maths and English.
• Experience in relevant industry or qualifications may be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Work on plate preparation and metal removal.
• Learn to operate various equipment for gouging and burning.
• Prepare metals for welding and inspect tank integrity.

Skills

Plate preparation

Metal removal

Operating heavy equipment

Weld quality inspection

Education

GCSE in Maths and English (grades A*-E or 9-3)

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, access to the company pension and share saving scheme.

Training course: Engineering operative (level 2).

Hours: 42 hours a week.

Shifts to be confirmed.

Position available from 14 September 2026.

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

• Working primarily around plate preparation and metal removal; this is broken down into four areas: gouging, grinding, burning and tank testing.
• Learning to operate tractor‑mounted oxy‑fuel burning equipment, arc‑air and plasma gouging equipment and gouging processes.
• Programming, remote operation and production management of robotic processes on major structural components.
• Preparing carbon‑based metals and dressing areas to the correct size before a high level of quality welding can be carried out – the task of grinding is carried out to remove weld profiles prior to inspection.
• Trained to burn (cut) steel to the correct sizes prior to fabrication.
• Trained to inspect/confirm the integrity of the tanks (tank testing), blanking holes and then using air/water to raise the pressure within the tank.

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.

At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying, in partnership with a college or other training organisation.

Requirements

GCSE in:

• 3 GCSE Inc Maths, English (grade A*‑E or 9‑3, 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

In addition to a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems 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

FURNESS COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000350581.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 28 February 2026.

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