2027 Project Planning & Controls Apprentice

thales; Cheadle; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-related pay uplifts

Holiday entitlement

Job summary

Thales in Cheadle, United Kingdom is recruiting for a 2027 Project Planning & Controls Apprentice – Level 4 Project Management Associate Apprenticeship. Start date Monday 6 September 2027. Location: Cheadle. Salary: £24,000 per annum.

Working 37 hours weekly, 8-hrs Mon-Thu and 5 on Fri. This permanent apprenticeship blends study with hands-on experience inside our Bid & Project Management function. You’ll learn planning, scheduling, monitoring and controls, while supporting governance over bids

Qualifications

• Must have foundational project planning knowledge and a strong interest in governance and reporting.
• GCSE English and Maths demonstrated at appropriate level are required.
• A Level results and Level 4 apprenticeship indicate readiness for structured training in project management.

Responsibilities

• Assist in creating and maintaining integrated master schedules for assigned projects.
• Contribute to project reports and attend reviews.
• Assist in deploying and reporting of risks and opportunities.
• Help ensure effective project governance is applied across the team.
• Operate UK tools to manage schedules, budgets, risks and opportunities.
• Attend apprenticeship training modules and complete coaching and exams.

Skills

Project scheduling

Governance

Risk management

Reporting

Education

A Levels

GCSE English & Maths

Level 4 Project Management Associate Apprenticeship

Job description

Location: Cheadle, United Kingdom

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.

2027 Project Planning & Controls Apprentice - Level 4 Project Management Associate Apprenticeship

Start Date: Monday 6 September 2027

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Employee Type: Permanent

Location: Cheadle

Working Schedule: 37 hours per week (8 hours Monday - Thursday, 5 hours on a Friday)

Transform your curiosity into a rewarding career. If you're passionate about projects and eager to learn, this apprenticeship is perfect for you. Combining academic study with hands‑on, practical experience, it offers a fantastic opportunity to grow and thrive within a global, innovative & industry leading organisation. We'd love to hear from you!

Benefits of the programme:

• Earn a salary while studying for your apprenticeship
• Gain hands‑on experience within the Bid & Project Management environment
• Receive job‑specific training and development
• Achieve a recognised qualification
• Secure a permanent role from the start of your apprenticeship
• Have your tuition fees fully paid

About the Role:

This exciting Project Planning & Controls Apprenticeship will give you the skills and knowledge to be an effective team member within the Bid and Project Management Function at Thales. The apprentice programme will provide you with a strong understanding and working knowledge of planning, scheduling, monitoring and controls, building the foundations for future roles supporting or managing projects that deliver world leading solutions to our global customer base. The Bid and Project Management functions' key responsibilities are to support the project team deliver the mission and ensure strong governance over bids and projects and oversee the implementation of consistent and assured processes.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Assisting with the creation and maintenance of the integrated master schedules for assigned projects
• Contributing to project reports and attend associated reviews
• Assisting in the deployment & reporting of risk & opportunity management
• Helping the project team ensure correct and effective project governance is applied
• Operating Thales UK tools to ensure effective management of the project schedule, budgets, risks and opportunities
• Committing to attend all elements of the apprenticeship including attendance on virtual training modules, 1-2-1 coaching calls, assignments, exams and mandatory Thales UK training activities to lay the foundations for your contribution to future growth of the business

What You Will Learn:

• Throughout your apprenticeship, you will develop knowledge and skills in:
• Project planning, scheduling, monitoring, and control techniques
• Supporting effective bid and project delivery through project controls
• Applying governance, assurance, and project management processes
• Developing and maintaining integrated project schedules and plans
• Tracking performance, risks, costs, and progress against project objectives
• Supporting the delivery of complex, world-leading solutions for global customers

Apprenticeship Programme:

Through our higher apprenticeship you'll be making the most of your talents, getting to understand the Project Management Function from the ground up; and doing so with the help of one of the biggest and best names in the industry.

Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll receive on-the-job training tailored to work alongside your studies, giving you the hands‑on experience needed to develop practical skills and knowledge.

The programme will be delivered via a virtual delivery model consisting of:

• live virtual workshops
• 1-2-1 coaching calls
• Self-directed learning activities

This is a 2-year programme, working towards the Level 4 Project Manager Associate Apprenticeship standard, with our lead training provider. Upon successful completion of your End Point Assessment, you will roll off into the Thales UK Bid and Project Management job family into a Project Planner or Project Controller role.

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are motivated, committed and keen to learn. A self-starter who can manage their time, show initiative and has a genuine interest in project planning/controls and Thales. Successful candidates will show self-discipline and an aspiration to achieve the qualification.

Entry Requirements:

• 2 A Levels grade C or above in any subject or equivalent Level 3 qualification such as BTEC Diploma (MM), T Level (Merit) or Level 3 apprenticeship
• Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4-9 (A-C) in English and Maths

Benefits:

• Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum
• Performance-related pay uplifts
• Holiday entitlement of 201 h