2027 Manufacturing Apprentice - Level 3 Engineering Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship

Thales Group; South Cheriton; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Holiday entitlement 201 hours/year

Contributory Company Pension

Health Care Cash Plan

Hybrid/flexible working options

Employee assistance programme

Learning and development support

Employee discounts and wellbeing

Job summary

Thales Group is offering a Level 3 Manufacturing Apprenticeship at Templecombe. You will rotate through placements, gaining insight into assembly, testing, and inspection while developing essential skills in wiring, soldering and ESD safety.

The programme includes online assessments, a virtual assessment centre and a final job offer upon successful completion. Entry requires 5 GCSEs including English and Maths, and eligibility for UK work rights plus BPSS/SC security checks.

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs grade 9-4 (including English and Maths).
• Eligibility to work in the UK and BPSS/SC security checks.
• Willingness to undergo UK government security checks before starting employment.

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 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 promptly.

Skills

Assembly Techniques

Wiring and Looming

Soldering

ESD Safety

Reading drawings

Quality control

Education

5 GCSEs (9-4) incl English & Maths

Job description

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.

• 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.

• Complete Online Tests - undertake the online assessments designed to evaluate your suitability for the role.
• Virtual Assessment Centre - candidates who progress from the online assessment stage will attend a virtual assessment centre, which will include group exercises, and competency-based interviews.
• Job Offer - successful candidates who perform well throughout the recruitment process will receive a job offer from Thales.

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. PLEASE NOTE THAT ROLES MAY CLOSE EARLIER THAN THE ADVERTISED DEADLINE IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMER OF APPLICATIONS.

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

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.

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, 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.

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

• 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, 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 - 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.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring.