Electrical, Control & Instrumentation Design Apprentice

This is your chance to gain real experience across the entire engineering lifecycle. As an Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineering Apprentice, you’ll rotate through 6-month placements across different areas of our Cavendish Nuclear business. This structure is designed to help you build a well-rounded skillset and explore what excites you most within engineering.

You could be designing control systems for nuclear decommissioning, supporting the infrastructure of the UK’s submarine deterrent, or working on the development of cutting-edge facilities for future nuclear fusion reactors. Your week might involve working with PLCs, SCADA systems, reactor protection, or radiological monitoring equipment.

Throughout, you’ll be supported by experienced engineers and mentors who will help you develop the confidence, communication and technical skills you need to succeed. This programme offers you a chance to contribute to some of the most important and exciting engineering projects in the country.

Education and Training

You will study towards the Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship standard through the University of Derby. Your academic learning will take place at the Nuclear Skills Academy, located in Derby’s newly refurbished iHub building on Infinity Park. This cutting-edge facility serves as the central hub for all apprenticeship programmes and is managed by the University of Derby. The Nuclear Skills Academy is supported by a network of industry and education partners, including the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, the National College for Nuclear, and Derby City Council – ensuring your education is grounded in the latest developments and best practices in the field.

The programme is delivered part-time over four years, with three semesters per year in the first three years and two semesters in the final year. As a work-based learning qualification, your apprenticeship integrates both off-the-job and on-the-job training. This structure allows you to apply your academic knowledge directly to your workplace experiences, helping you develop the skills, behaviours, and understanding required to succeed in the industry.

In your final year, you’ll complete an integrated End Point Assessment (EPA), designed to evaluate your readiness for professional practice. By the end of the programme, you’ll be equipped with a respected degree and nuclear engineering experience.

Future Prospects

By the end of the programme, you will have earned your degree and gained the skills, experience and knowledge to thrive as an Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer at Cavendish Nuclear. You’ll also have the opportunity to build on your progress toward professional registration as an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer, a recognised benchmark of engineering competence, which can support your journey into more advanced roles, such as Senior Engineer.

As a global organisation, Babcock provides countless opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career. To support your growth, we’ve introduced the Babcock Role Framework, which outlines roles, career pathways, and development opportunities. With every job mapped to these frameworks, you’ll have a transparent view of the steps needed to reach Senior Engineer and beyond.

Entry Requirements

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 (C) or above, including Maths, English and Science, plus one of the following:
  • 104 UCAS points at A Level including Maths and Physics or another STEM subject at grade C
  • BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM in Engineering including Maths units
  • Pass Access Course: 104 points including 15 Level 3 credits in Maths and Physics or STEM at Merit
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma: Pass with 104 points from Higher Level subjects including Higher Level 6 in Maths and Physics or STEM
  • T Level: Merit including Maths and Physics
• IELTS: 6.0 with no component lower than 5.5
• Many of our 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 and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) security clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search ‘United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels’.

Benefits

• 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.

Application Process

Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and if there’s a high level of interest in this programme, we may close applications earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.

Please apply to one programme only. If we receive more than one application from you, we’ll assess the first one submitted. If your chosen programme becomes oversubscribed, we may contact you to discuss other programmes you could be eligible for.

We're a Disability Confident Employer. If you require additional support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply. Our team will contact you after receiving your application to discuss your requirements and the support available.

We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.