Programme title: Engineering Trades Apprenticeship – Welders, Pipefitters and Fabricators
Level: SCQF Level 7
Salary:
Year 1: £14,791
Year 2: £21,415
Year 3: £23,822
Year 4: £27,106
Post apprenticeship: £36,231
Location: Rosyth, Scotland
Application closing date: March 2025
Programme start date: August 2025
Role ID: 60371
Ready to learn a skilled trade? On our 4-year Engineering Trades Apprenticeship, you’ll develop specialist engineering trade skills and gain hands-on experience maintaining the Royal Navy's fleet.
About the programme
This is no ordinary engineering apprenticeship. Our engineers are at the forefront of building and maintaining the Royal Navy’s fleet.
As part of our busy team, 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.
You will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects such as new builds and upgrades to existing vessels, along with other commercial engineering projects.
This varied and exciting programme covers trades including Fabricating, Pipefitting and Welding. You'll be assigned one of these trade routes to specialise in.
Find out more about each of the trades below. You’ll be asked to indicate your preferences during the recruitment process.
Fabricator
You'll learn how to manufacture a wide range of components and construct both minor and major ship structures. You’ll fabricate metal structures, work with structural and sheet metal, and use cutting, bending, and assembling processes. On the job, you will learn how to operate handheld tools and CNC cutters, as well as manual or powered hamming tools and press brakes. Additionally, you’ll gain experience in welding, binding with adhesives, riveting, fastening, bending seams, and other fabrication tools and techniques.
Pipefitter
You’ll learn how to install, assemble, fabricate, maintain, and repair mechanical piping that carries fuel, chemicals, water, steam, and air in heating, cooling, lubricating, and various other process piping systems. You’ll develop a range of skills, including how to interpret engineering drawings and fabricate pipes, as well as pipe brazing. You can expect variety, working on ships, submarines, and in the workshop, as well as servicing systems within the dockyard.
Welder
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.
Whatever route you take, you'll gain knowledge and skills in:
- Health and safety
- Planning and documentation
- Engineering mathematical and scientific principles
- Methods and techniques
- Structure, properties and characteristics of materials.
- Diagnostic methods to overcome problems
- Interpreting engineering drawings and data
- Adhering to and refining processes and procedures
Your education/training
Through a combination of classroom learning and onsite training, you’ll develop well-rounded engineering skills and behaviours, preparing you for a successful career in the industry.
In your first year, you will be predominantly based at college. Welding and Fabrication Apprentices will attend Forth Valley College and Pipefitting Apprentices will be enrolled at Fife College. This foundational year will equip you with the essential knowledge and technical skills needed for the workplace.
From your second year onwards, you will transition to full-time training at Rosyth Dockyard. This phase is designed to help you apply what you’ve learned in a practical setting, providing valuable real-world experience. For those pursuing an HNC qualification, your third year will include one day per week of continued study at college.
Future prospects
After successfully completing the programme, you will qualify as an Engineering Technician, specialising in your chosen field (fabricating, pipefitting, or welding).
You can expect to earn a competitive salary of over £36,231 upon completing the programme. Additionally, there may be opportunities to pursue higher-level qualifications, enabling you to advance your career within Babcock across a variety of roles and functions.
What you’ll need
- A minimum of 4 National 5s at grade C or above, including Maths, English, and a Science or Technical subject (or equivalent).
- A genuine interest in your chosen trade, along with a willingness to learn, ask questions, and collaborate.
- The ability to follow instructions and plan work with safety as a top priority.
- A team player who demonstrates respect and professionalism toward colleagues, customers, and supervisors.
- Many of our early careers roles are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which roles you are eligible for. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). For our early careers roles, you must be able to achieve BPSS and many of them require you to be eligible for Security Clearance.
Please be aware that if you are working towards or have already achieved a modern apprenticeship at the same level and with the same or similar content to the one for which you are applying, we will not be able to consider your application.
What you’ll get
We will provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career.
In addition, you’ll benefit from:
- Fully funded qualification
- Personal development training and opportunities
- Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
- Competitive pension scheme
- Employee share scheme
- Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal
You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.
Your career development
It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.
Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.
Closing dates
Please be aware that if there is a high level of interest in this programme, applications may close earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered for a place on this programme, please submit your application as early as possible.
