AWE – Mechanical Maintenance – Level 3 Apprenticeship

AWE – Mechanical Maintenance – Level 3 Apprenticeship

Mechanical Maintenance Apprentice (Level 3 – Advanced)

We’re a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of our NATO allies. Our work is critical. We’re delivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology.

But that’s just part of the story. We support the UK government in a range of vital areas – from counter‑terrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world‑class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security. At AWE, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll find purpose, growth, and a community like no other.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of something truly unique. Be extraordinary at AWE.

During the foundation phase of your apprenticeship, you will learn the fundamentals of Mechanical Maintenance. This will act as the building blocks of an interesting career within AWE. Basic skills and knowledge are covered by the Skills Academy where you will start with learning the correct selection and use of hand tools. You will manufacture a range of test pieces to help with your development as a mechanical maintainer, from here you will progress onto carrying out maintenance activities in a simulated environment.

Once this phase has been completed, taking approximately 18 months, you will move to the Consolidation phase. This will see you rotate through our Mechanical Maintenance teams located in the various Technology Centres across both AWE Aldermaston and AWE Burghfield sites. Here you will build upon the skills learned during the Foundation phase, working on a wide range of plant and equipment in a real‑world environment.

You will outturn into one of our Mechanical Maintenance teams across the AWE Aldermaston or Burghfield sites as a Craft Practitioner (Mechanical). There is a wide variety of mechanical maintenance roles at AWE, including work with pressurised systems (steam, compressed air, compressed gases), servicing various types of equipment such as vacuum pumps, HVAC fan systems, dynamic and positive displacement pumps, mechanical drive equipment, heat transfer equipment, monitoring systems and specialist equipment used for processing nuclear and explosive materials.

There are also roles within specialised teams like Condition Based Monitoring who are the site lead for preventative and reliability maintenance, The Local Exhaust Ventilation team who ensure we keep our high‑risk operations, such as machining Beryllium, safe and Off‑Site response, where you will maintain equipment used to respond to off‑site incidents. After gaining experience within these teams, there are various roles to progress into.

These include but are not limited to Technical Support Officer (TSO), Work Safety Supervisor (WSS), Maintenance Team Leader, Facility Engineer (FE) and Facility Specialist.

Science Industry Maintenance Technical (ST0249).

Farnborough College of Technology

• A practical aptitude for engineering or technology
• Computer literacy (PC)
• Excellent team working skills
• Good communication skills
• Awareness of health and safety
• The ability to follow instructions
• The ability to concentrate for long periods
• A real passion and motivation for this type of work

• Understanding how mechanical assemblies work
• Understanding how heating, ventilation and cooling systems work
• Understanding the operation and maintenance of rotating plant and equipment
• Problem solving activities
• Being hands on
• Applying engineering principles into real life scenarios

• 5 GCSE’s at grade 4/C or above including…