Engineering Trades Apprenticeship - Pipefitters

Engineering Trades Apprenticeship – Pipe fitters

Location:

Rosyth, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, GB, KY11 2YD

Onsite or Hybrid:
On Site

Programme title:
Engineering Trades Apprenticeship – Pipe fitters

Location:

Rosyth, Scotland

Role

Ready to learn a skilled trade and become a specialist in pipe fitting? Our 4-year Engineering Trades Apprenticeship is your gateway to mastering this essential craft while gaining hands‑on experience maintaining the Royal Navy's fleet.

This is no ordinary apprenticeship. As a Pipefitter Apprentice, you’ll be at the forefront of building and maintaining the Royal Navy’s fleet.

As part of our busy team of Engineering Technicians, 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.

Throughout the programme, you’ll gain specialist pipe fitting skills. 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.

• 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

In addition to technical expertise, the programme also focuses on developing key soft skills, including clear communication, effective teamwork, problem‑solving, attention to detail, and a commitment to ongoing personal development and reflective learning.

Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll benefit from a mix of on‑the‑job training in the workplace and academic learning at Fife College.

• Year 1 – August to end of June – Fife College full time with day release onsite.
• Year 2 – Full‑time work, applying and building on the skills learned in Year 1.
• Year 3 – Full time work (If you are pursuing an HNC qualification, you will attend college one day per week.).
• Year 4 – 100 % of your time will be spent in the workplace, with a focus on completing logbooks and fulfilling all qualification requirements.

Upon successful completion of the programme, you will achieve a Modern Apprenticeship Qualification at SCQF.

After successfully completing the programme, you will qualify as an Engineering Technician, specialising in pipe fitting. Qualified technicians perform specialised work across a broad range of processes, procedures, and systems and continuously develop their technical skills and expertise.

You can expect to earn a competitive salary of over £36 000 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.

• A minimum of 4 National 5s at grade C or above, including Maths, English, and a Science or Technical subject.
• 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 apprenticeship programmes 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 programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC)…