Advanced Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship - STFC

Science and Technology Facilities Council

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has over 20 years’ experience in providing engineering apprenticeships and provides an excellent training ground to equip individuals with the relevant skills and experience for their chosen career in either mechanical, electrical or electronic engineering. We offer a competitive salary that increases annually, 4 years supervised training, additional core skills development and the opportunity to undertake overseas placements. 

List of duties/responsibilities

Your first year will be spent training at Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) at Culham, where you will be taught the basics of machining, welding, electronics and electrical wiring.  

During years 2 to 4, you will be based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) undertaking on-the-job training via placements on a rotational basis in your chosen discipline of mechanical engineering. This will provide you with extensive experience to broaden your knowledge and provide exposure to working in a sophisticated cutting edge facility. These placements take place within various workshops and departments such as the Central Laser Facility (CLF), RAL Space, Technology and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source (ISIS). You continue your academic studies on block release at OAS typically studying towards a diploma/HNC as appropriate.

As a mechanical apprentice you will use novel and technology-enabled processes to contribute to the manufacture of mechanical parts and assemblies. This supports a broad range of engineering requirements on both large and small precise sizes using Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) and conventional machining techniques.

From your second year as an apprentice you will gain further experience in the discipline of mechanical engineering. One of your first placements will be in our manual machining workshops, either in CLF, ISIS or the Technology Department. During these manual machining placements you will build on your skills developed in your first year at OAS.  

As you progress in your third and fourth year, your work placements will evolve into a more diverse range, these could include; CNC Machining placements in RAL Space or ISIS, Technician placements specialising in vacuum, gasses, cryogenics, and hand fitting in CLF, ISIS, RAL Space or Technology, or Design placements in CLF or ISIS. Throughout your apprenticeship you will be expected to support scientists from all over the world as they continue to push back the barriers of science.

Contacts and Communication

As an STFC Apprentice you will communicate with staff across STFC at all levels.  You will work as part of a team as well as working on your own. You will also have contact throughout your apprenticeship with college tutors and visitors to the site.

Personal Skills and Attributes

We are looking for individuals who have or will have achieved 5 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above including Maths, English and a Science by September 2021.  You must be self-motivated, enthusiastic about learning, hardworking and demonstrate an interest in engineering.

When submitting your CV and covering letter you should address yourself to this person specification, demonstrating by example how you meet the criteria contained within. Please also include any other information, which you feel is of relevance to your application.

Please state in your covering letter if you wish to be considered for more than one engineering discipline.  

Shortlisting Criteria

Qualifications

Essential:

• Achieved or predicted to achieve 5 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above including Maths, English and a Science by September 2021
• Or equivalent qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• Interest in science, engineering and technology
• Ability to demonstrate some basic technical engineering knowledge and skill 

Desirable: 

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office 

Interview Criteria

Personal skills/qualities

Essential:

• Ability to work using own initiative
• Ability to follow instructions including technical instructions in English
• Self-motivated, willing to undertake the work required with the training provider and in the workplace 
• Able to work independently and as part of a team 
• Good communication skills
• Good problem solving skills