Hull Surveying Apprenticeship

Babcock Mission Critical Services España SA.; Helensburgh; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor is seeking a Hull Surveying Apprentice at HM Naval Base Clyde to develop skills in marine surveying. Responsibilities include conducting inspections, supervising contractors, and preparing reports. Candidates should have National Level 5 qualifications in Maths and English, two additional qualifications, and must meet eligibility for security clearance. A competitive salary of £16,000 rises to c. £38,461 after apprenticeship completion. Various benefits include funded qualifications and personal development opportunities.

Benefits

Fully funded qualification

Minimum 28 days holiday allowance

Employee share scheme

Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Must have National Level 5 qualifications (or equivalent) in Mathematics, English, and a Science or technical subject.
• Two additional qualifications at National Level 4 or 5 (or above).
• Security clearance eligibility is required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct visual inspections of submarines and ships.
• Supervise contractors for compliance with standards.
• Prepare detailed reports and technical drawings.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Attention to Detail

Education

National Level 5 in Mathematics

National Level 5 in English

National Level 5 in Science

Job description

Hull Surveying Apprenticeship

Location: Faslane, Helensburgh, GB, G84 8HL

Onsite or Hybrid: OnSite

Programme title: Hull Surveying Apprenticeship
Level: SCQF Level 7

Salary: £16,000 rising annually to c. £38,461 post apprenticeship
Location: HM Naval Base Clyde, Scotland

Kickstart your career as a Marine Surveyor with the 4-year Hull Surveying Apprenticeship at Babcock. Gain hands‑on experience and professional qualifications while supporting the Royal Navy’s fleet.

About the programme

Our Marine Surveying team plays a vital role at HM Naval Base Clyde, conducting detailed structural surveys on submarines, surface ships, and visiting vessels, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with industry standards and specifications.

As an apprentice, you’ll gain a mix of office‑based and site‑based experience. In the early stages, you’ll shadow experienced surveyors to learn key responsibilities, such as:

• Conducting visual inspections of submarines and ships, including in tanks and confined spaces.
• Supervising contractors to ensure work complies with established standards.
• Preparing detailed reports and technical drawings for submission to the Design Authority.

As you progress, you’ll take on more responsibility, directly contributing to the team’s work and playing an increasingly important role in inspections and report preparation.

Your education/training

As part of your apprenticeship, you will receive training both on‑site and at West College Scotland. You will complete essential courses covering safety practices, submarine awareness, confined space protocols, radiological awareness, and more. Your formal qualifications will be achieved progressively over the course of the programme, as outlined below:

• Year 1: Full‑time at West College Scotland
  • SVQ Level 2 (SCQF Level 5) Performing Engineering Operations
  • NC Welding and Fabrication – Year 1
• Year 2: 3 days per week on site at HMNB Clyde and 1 day per week at West College Scotland
  • SVQ Diploma Technical Services in Engineering (SCQF Level 7)
  • NC Welding and Fabrication – Year 2
• Year 3‑4: 3 days per week on site at HMNB Clyde (if progressing to HNC) and 1 day per week at West College Scotland
  • SVQ Diploma Technical Services in Engineering (SCQF Level 7)
  • HNC Welding and Fabrication

Once fully qualified and experienced, you will be ready to step into a Marine Surveyor role at Babcock. In this position, you will conduct detailed structural surveys of submarines, surface ships, and visiting vessels at HMNB Clyde to meet the requirements of the design authorities. This role currently offers a competitive salary of £38,461 with a clear and structured career path leading to senior roles.

What you’ll need

• National Level 5 qualifications (or equivalent) in Mathematics, English, and a Science or technical subject, with grades A–C.
• Two additional qualifications at National Level 4 or 5 (or above), with grades A–C.
• Many of our apprenticeship 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 Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK.

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
• 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.

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 closing dates

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the programme may close early if we receive a high volume of interest. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we strongly recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.