Engineering (Design and Manufacture) Graduate Apprenticeship - Project Management

Cooper & Hall Limited; Helensburgh; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded qualification

Personal development training

28 days holiday

Pension scheme

Share scheme

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Cooper & Hall Limited offers a 4-year Engineering (Design and Manufacture) Graduate Apprenticeship in Project Management at HM Naval Base Clyde, Scotland. You will study for a BEng (Hons) while supporting submarine programme projects, developing scheduling, risk management and stakeholder engagement skills within a defence environment.

Based at Clyde, the programme combines workplace learning with university study, typically three days onsite and one day at university, with clear progression

Qualifications

• Scottish Higher levels required, including Maths and a science or technology subject.
• Foundation Apprenticeships accepted, counted as one Higher at grade B.
• Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6 in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering with SQA Highers.

Responsibilities

• Support projects within Fleet Programmes to maintain, upgrade and operate submarine systems.
• Gain hands-on experience in project planning, scheduling and risk management.
• Work towards a BEng (Hons) degree while contributing to defence programmes.

Education

BBCC grades

Foundation Apprenticeship

SCQF Level 6 Apprenticeship

Maths & science/tech subjects

Job description

Location:

Helensburgh, GB, G84 8HL

Onsite or Hybrid: Hybrid

Programme title:

Engineering (Design and Manufacture) Graduate Apprenticeship - Project Management

Level:

SCQF Level 10

Salary:

Year 1: £24,550
Year 2: £27,650
Year 3: £29,800
Year 4: £32,150

Location:

HM Naval Base Clyde, Scotland

Application closing date:

8th December 2026

Programme start date:

September 2027

Role ID:

74972

Our 4-year Engineering (Design and Manufacture) Graduate Apprenticeship is your opportunity to start a career with purpose. You’ll contribute to some of the UK’s most important defence programmes while working towards a BEng (Hons) degree and building a rewarding career in Engineering and Project Management.

About the programme

This is an exciting opportunity to build a career at the heart of the UK's submarine enterprise. Based at HM Naval Base Clyde, you'll work within the Fleet Programmes team, supporting projects that contribute to the maintenance, upgrade and operational readiness of the Royal Navy's submarine fleet.

You'll gain hands‑on experience in project planning, scheduling, risk management, stakeholder engagement and programme delivery, while developing a strong understanding of the complex engineering and operational environment that underpins the UK's defence capability.

By the end of the programme, you'll have built a strong foundation in project management and engineering principles, opening the door to a rewarding career supporting some of the most critical programmes within HMNB Clyde and the wider defence sector.

Your education/training

As a Graduate Apprentice, you will undertake a degree programme in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), combining degree‑level learning with practical workplace experience.

The programme typically involves three days per week in the workplace and one day per week dedicated to university study.

Throughout the programme, you will develop knowledge and skills in engineering design, manufacturing processes, project delivery, problem solving, quality management and continuous improvement. As your studies progress, you will take on increasing responsibility within live engineering projects, applying your academic learning to real business challenges.

On successful completion of the programme, you'll achieve a BEng (Hons) Graduate Apprenticeship in Engineering (Design and Manufacture), gaining a nationally recognised qualification alongside valuable industry experience.

Future prospects

Upon successful completion of the programme, you'll be ready to take the next step into a Project Engineer role within Fleet Programmes, supporting the delivery of projects that contribute to the maintenance, upgrade and operational readiness of the Royal Navy's submarine fleet.

As your career develops, the Babcock Role Framework will help you navigate a range of project, programme and leadership career pathways, providing access to professional development, project management qualifications and hands‑on experience across complex and high‑profile defence programmes. You'll be supported to build your expertise and progress towards senior project and programme management roles.

What you’ll need

• Scottish Highers: BBCC or equivalent, including Maths and a science or technology subject.
• We also accept: Foundation Apprenticeships (counting as one Higher at grade B), in combination with SQA Highers.
• Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6 in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (equivalent to two Highers at B), in combination with SQA Highers.
• You must be resident in Scotland, as Graduate Apprenticeships are only available to individuals living and working in Scotland.
• This role requires regular on‑site attendance. By your start date, you must be able to reliably commute to the site. This will normally require living within a reasonable commuting distance of HM Naval Base Clyde or relocating before you join us.
• Many of our programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search 'United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels.'
• Under applicable national security legislation, this post may only be occupied by a sole UK national. This legal requirement is independent of our recruitment policies, and all eligible applicants will be assessed fairly and without discrimination.

What you’ll get

We’ll provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career.

In addition, you’ll benefit from:

• Fully funded qualification
• Personal development training and opportunities
• Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
• Competitive pension scheme
• Employee share scheme
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.

Your career development

It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.

Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.

Application process and important information

Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and if there’s a high level of interest in this programme, we may close applications earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.

Please apply to one programme only. If we receive more than one application from you, we’ll assess the first one submitted. If your chosen programme becomes oversubscribed, we may contact you to discuss other programmes you could be eligible for.

We're a Disability Confident Employer. If you require additional support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply. Our team will contact you after receiving your application to discuss your requirements and the support available.

We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

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