Project Management Apprenticeship (Level 6 Degree)

About AWE

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.

About the Apprenticeship

As a Project Management Apprentice at AWE, you will help support a range of important projects. This could include projects linked to AWE’s main programmes, large building and infrastructure projects, and other work that helps AWE operate and grow. You will learn what project management involves, build your skills, and start to understand the areas of work you enjoy most. You will also work with different teams and subject matter experts, helping you build confidence, develop strong working relationships, and understand how large projects are delivered.

Help teams work together to deliver projects safely, on time and to the right standard. This means communicating clearly, solving problems, organising priorities, making decisions, and keeping work moving even when deadlines are challenging. You do not need to already have all these skills — you will develop them during your Project Management Apprenticeship at AWE.

This means you will learn how to:

• Plan projects
• Track progress
• Manage risks
• Communicate with different people
• Understand how decisions affect time, cost and quality

Throughout your apprenticeship, you will build knowledge and skills in areas such as:

• Different project management methods and how to use them
• How a project moves from the first idea through to completion
• How projects are organised, including work, cost and organisational structures
• Estimating, planning and scheduling
• How projects are governed and how budgets are managed
• How to measure project progress and understand performance data
• Regular project reporting, including month-end progress updates and analysis
• Stakeholder and communications management, both with internal and external stakeholders
• Prioritising workload, resources and deadlines within high pressure complex environments
• How to manage changes to project scope, requirements and benefits
• Quality control
• How goods and services are bought for projects, and how contracts are managed
• How to identify and manage risks and opportunities, and understand how they can affect time, cost and quality

If you are interested in project work but prefer detail, data, planning ahead, tracking progress, spotting risks and helping teams make evidence-based decisions, you may want to apply to our Project Controls Level 6 Apprenticeship instead. Project Management is more focused on leading people, coordinating work, managing priorities and keeping projects moving towards the end goal, while Project Controls helps provide the insight that keeps a project on track. We recommend reading both adverts before applying so you can choose the route that best matches your strengths and interests.

Opportunities When You Complete Your Apprenticeship

When you complete your apprenticeship, you may have the opportunity to move into an Assistant Project Manager role. In this role, you would help deliver projects and programmes that support AWE’s mission to keep the UK safe and secure. You will work in an environment where accuracy, teamwork and forward planning are important.

About You

• IT proficiency – including a working knowledge in using Microsoft Office.
• Good communication skills
• Good team working skills
• Effective organisation skills
• Health and safety awareness
• Leadership qualities
• Passion for your chosen profession

This role may appeal to you if you enjoy:

• Problem solving
• Promoting your ideas and motivating people.
• Providing good customer service.
• Working as part of a team
• Making decisions, often under pressure.
• Identifying ways to improve current practices.
• Leading and inspiring others.

Entry Requirements

• 5 GCSE’s at grade 4/C or above including Maths and English.
• 3 A Levels at grade C or above, preferably in related subjects such as Maths, Science and IT, T Level Pass (C or above on the core) or a BTEC Extended Diploma at MMM, or a T Level at Pass, or equivalent, in addition to Level 2 English and Maths at 4/C or above. Places on Degree Apprenticeships are decided upon by the employer, with each company having its own recruitment, application and selection processes.
• Due to the security requirements associated with this apprenticeship, applicants must be British Nationals and be aged 18 or over by 1 April 2027.

The Benefits

• A starting salary of £24,500 yearly, increasing to £26,000 in Year 2, with further annual salary increases throughout your apprenticeship, subject to satisfactory performance and achievement of apprenticeship milestones.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme
• Generous paid holiday entitlement of 270 hours per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays, plus every other Friday off as part of AWE’s flexible working pattern.
• Access to employee discounts portal - everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services

Alongside these benefits, you will learn from experienced specialists in their fields while contributing to work that supports national nuclear security, threat reduction and counter-terrorism.

Location

Reading area: AWE Aldermaston and/or AWE Burghfield sites, depending on placement and business needs. Due to the nature and security of our work, this role will be based on-site.

Start Date

1st September 2027

Apprenticeship Duration

48 months plus End Point Assessment

Recruitment Process

This vacancy will close on 25th October 2026, but we review applications as they come in—so we strongly encourage you to apply early.

We want you to shine in your application process which is designed to be fair and transparent. So we've kept it simple with a three step process:

• Online application: Apply for one apprenticeship; take your time to explore the options and choose the one that best matches your interests and goals.
• Online test: If successful, you will be invited to complete our online assessment stage. These include online testing against numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning tests. Don't be intimidated: practice assessments will be available so you will be fully equipped with the knowledge of what to expect.
• In-person Assessment: Those successful at testing will be invited to an assessment centre. The Assessment Centres are scheduled for 24th November 2026. Please note that these dates may be subject to change, but rest assured, we’ll keep all applicants informed throughout the process.

These roles are governed by Health and Safety at Work Regulations and require all candidates to have an Occupational Health pre-employment medical held at AWE which follows the initial selection process. All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Contact us:

If you have questions during the application process, please reach out to the Early Careers Team at EarlyCareers@awe.co.uk