2027 Manufacturing Apprentice

Thales; Templecombe; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance pay uplifts

Holiday entitlement

Company pension

Health care plan

Hybrid/flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Learning and development

Employee discounts

Volunteer hours

Job summary

Thales is offering a Level 3 Manufacturing Apprenticeship in Templecombe that blends academic study with hands-on experience. You will rotate through placements across manufacturing to build essential skills like assembly techniques, wiring and looming, soldering and ESD safety.

You will enrol on a Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship at Yeovil College over 3.5 years, with day release and a work-based project.

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs grade 9-4 (A-C) including English and Maths

Responsibilities

• Assist with the assembly, testing, and inspection of manufacturing components and sub-assemblies.

Job description

2027 Manufacturing Apprentice – Level 3 Engineering Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship

Start Date: Monday 6 September 2027

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Employee Type: Permanent

Location: Templecombe

Working Schedule: 37 hours per week on site (8 hours Monday - Thursday). Year 1 Monday – Friday 37 hours a week, moving to 4-day week when 18 years of age after year 1 is complete

Turn your curiosity into a career. If you’re passionate about manufacturing, eager to learn, and looking for a level 3 apprenticeship that blends academic study with hands‑on experience, we’d love to hear from you.

Benefits of the programme

• Earn a salary while studying for your apprenticeship
• Gain hands‑on experience in a real working environment
• Receive job‑specific training and development
• Achieve a recognised qualification
• Secure a permanent role from the start of your apprenticeship
• Tuition fees for the approved training providers are fully covered

About the Role

Our Level 3 Manufacturing Apprenticeship in Templecombe is a brilliant chance to learn how our business works from the ground up. You’ll gain real insight into the different areas of manufacturing—supporting you whether you want to build your future in manufacturing or explore a different path within Thales.

You’ll rotate through a range of placements, so you can try different roles, discover what you enjoy most, and find where your strengths really shine.

You’ll also develop essential manufacturing skills, including:

• Assembly Techniques
• Wiring and Looming
• Soldering
• ESD Safety

You’ll also be provided with the equipment and software you need to succeed while working across Thales.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the assembly, testing, and inspection of manufacturing components and sub‑assemblies.
• Support daily production activities and the setup, operation, and maintenance of manufacturing equipment.
• Learn to read and interpret technical drawings, engineering specifications, and work instructions.
• Adhere strictly to UK health and safety regulations and company safety policies.
• Carry out quality control checks to ensure products meet industry and company standards.
• Maintain accurate production records and report faults or issues promptly.
• Participate fully in apprenticeship training modules and qualifications (e.g., BTEC, NVQ or equivalent).
• Collaborate with team members to solve manufacturing and process challenges.

Apprenticeship Programme

As a Manufacturing Apprentice, you will enrol onto a Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship at Yeovil College over a 3.5-year duration. Delivered via a day release delivery model, you will complete your academic studies at college each week and then come back to the workplace to apply what you have learned.

The End Point Assessment will consist of a work‑based project report and a professional discussion.

Upon completion of the programme, you will have achieved a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technologies, plus a Level 3 apprenticeship qualification.

Entry Requirements

• 5 GCSEs grade 9-4 (A-C) including English and Maths

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum
• Performance‑related pay uplifts
• Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a company day and bank holidays)
• Contributory Company Pension
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Hybrid/flexible working options
• Employee assistance programme
• Learning and development support
• Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives
• Life Cover
• 80 Hours Volunteering per year (first two years)

Further Information & Process

For further information about our Future Talent recruitment process, including hints and tips, or to connect with a member of the Future Talent Team, a Graduate, or an Apprentice, please visit Thales Future Talent - Connectr.

Important Dates

Please note, assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February - May 2027. Induction week for all Graduate and Apprentices will take place from Monday 6 September - Friday 10 September 2027.

Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 February 2027, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note, we will be in contact by the end of February 2027 with details of next steps.

Security & Clearance

Because of the work we do at Thales, all roles are subject to security requirements.

To be considered for this position, you must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete and maintain UK Government security checks, including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC), which is a government background check, before starting employment.

To be eligible for SC clearance, you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, right to work in the UK, any time spent overseas during the last five years, and your employment and/or education history.

In addition, this role supports a UK Eyes Only programme and is therefore subject to government‑mandated nationality restrictions. To satisfy the security clearance requirements for access to highly sensitive information, applicants must have been British citizens from birth and must not hold any other nationality. This requirement is determined by the UK Government and is a condition of programme access rather than an employment preference.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please follow this link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity, and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.