2027 Manufacturing Apprentice - Templecombe

Thales Group; Itchen Abbas; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales Group in Templecombe is offering a Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship, lasting 12 months plus 6 months for End Point Assessment. You will learn assembly techniques, wiring and looming, soldering, and ESD safety while supporting our Towed Array business and rotating through 4 shifts in the area.

You will study at Yeovil College via a day-release model, earning a Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations and a Level 2 Certificate, with the qualification ending on the

Qualifications

• GCSE English (grade 4 (C) or above) - essential
• GCSE Maths (grade 4 (D) or above) - essential

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving skills

Analytical skills

Logical thinking

Team working

Education

GCSE English (grade 4 (C) or above)

GCSE Maths (grade 4 (D) or above)

Job description

Join our Level 2 Manufacturing Apprenticeship in Templecombe and build your future with Thales from the ground up. This is a great start if you’re keen to learn practical skills, understand how manufacturing really works, and want a pathway that can lead to a long-term career-whether you stay in manufacturing or explore new opportunities within the business.

You’ll receive hands‑on training focused on our Towed Array business line, and after you complete the apprenticeship, you’ll join one of the 4 shifts in the area - becoming a valued part of the team from day one.

What You Will Learn:

• Assembly techniques
• Wiring and looming
• Soldering
• ESD safety

Upon programme completion, you will roll off the scheme into a permanent role in the business and will move to a shift working pattern. This will be a 3-day week (either Monday to Wednesday, or Thursday to Saturday) and will consist of 12.33-hour shifts. These shifts operate 24 hours per day 6 days a week which include night shifts.

Training

As a Manufacturing Apprentice, you will enrol onto a Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship at Yeovil College. The programme is 12 months in duration, plus 6 months for the End Point Assessment period. It will be delivered via a day release model whereby academic content is delivered in the classroom on set study days and then the rest of the time you will be working in the business and applying what you have learnt. At the end of the programme, you will have achieved a Level 2 Certificate in Engineering Operations and a Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations, plus the Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship qualification.

The programme is delivered via a day release model at the Yeovil College campus.

What happens at the end

At the end of the programme, you will have achieved a Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations, plus the Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship qualification.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working

Qualifications

• GCSE English (grade 4 (C) or above) - essential
• GCSE Maths (grade 4 (D) or above) - essential

Key details

• Wage: £24,000 a year
• Working week: Mon-Thu 8 hrs per day, Fri 5 hrs. On completion your permanent role will move to a shift working pattern. 3-day week (Mon to Wed, or Thu to Sat) 12.33-hr shifts. These shifts operate 24 hours per day 6 days a week which include night shifts.
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Duration: 1 Year
• Start date: 2027-09-06
• Closing date: 2027-02-17
• Apprenticeship standard: Engineering operative (level 2)
• Training provider: YEOVIL COLLEGE

About the employer

Together, we create the ingenious technological systems and innovations that impact and improve people's lives every single day. Even if you haven't heard the name Thales before, you've definitely benefited from our inventiveness. We reinvest 20% of our sales in Research & Development in the UK. Together we supply invention across 4 core areas: Aerospace, Space, Defence and Security, Digital Identity and Security.